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http://www.arcliive.org/details/autobiograpliyletOOvassiala 


Copyright  by  Vassar  College 


PORTRAIT  OF  THE  FOUNDER 
Painted  by  J.  H.  Wright 


THE 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

AND   LETTERS 
OF 

MATTHEW  VASSAR 


Edited  by 

I    6 
ELIZABETH  HAZELTON  HAIGHT 


NEW  YORK 

OXFORD  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 

AMERICAN  BRANCH:  35  WEST  32ND  STREET 

LONDON,  TORONTO.  MELBOURNE.  AND  BOMBAY 

HUMPHREY  MILFORD 

1916 


Copyright,  jgi6 
BY  Oxford  University  Prkss 

AMERICAN  BRANCH 


Ed.  -  Psych. 
Ulirary 

V3A3 


IN  HONOR 

OF 

MATTHEW   VASSAR 

THIS  VOLUME  IS  PUBLISHED 

ON  THE  FIFTY-FIRST  FOUNDER'S  DAY 

OF 

VASSAR  COLLEGE 
May  5,  1916 


1863[j89 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Matthew  Vassar i 

The  Autobiography  and  the  Diaries  .       .  17 

Letters  OF  i860  AND  1 86 1        ....  50 

Letters  of  1862  and  1863       ....  70 

Letters  OF  1864 125 

Letters  OF  1865  TO  1868 165 

A  Group  of  Letters  to  a  Student  .       .       .  188 

Appendix 203 

Index 209 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 

The     Founder:     An     Oil-Painting    by    J.     H. 
Wright Frontispiece 

FACING 
PAGE 

The  Vassar  Brewery 35 

Matthew  Vassar 49 

Mrs.  Vassar 50 

The  Presentation  of  the  Funds  for  the  College, 
February  26,   186 1 52 

Vassar  Female  College 70 

From  a  Lithograph  made  in  1862 

A  Facsimile  of  a  Letter  Written  by  Matthew 
Vassar 167 

Matthew   Vassar   and   His   Dog    (an   Ambro- 
type) 187 


MATTHEW  VASSAR 

Matthew  Vassar,  the  Founder  of  Vassar  College, 
was  a  plain,  self-made  business  man  whose  life  ran 
along  for  years  in  grooves  familiar  to  many  American 
citizens.  His  story  is  indeed  only  a  narrative  of  thrifty 
money-making  in  a  homely  business  until,  when  he  had 
almost  reached  the  scriptural  allotment  of  three  score 
years  and  ten,  the  romance  of  his  life  appeared  in  the 
shape  of  a  great  idea  and  his  dreams  of  fame  were 
shortly  realized.  The  founding  of  Vassar  College  was 
the  opportunity,  education,  and  reward  of  all  Matthew 
Vassar's  latent  power. 

Viewed  then,  in  the  light  of  the  significant  ending, 
the  whole  story  of  Matthew  Vassar's  life  has  interest. 
Born  in  England  in  1792,  Matthew  was  brought  at  the 
age  of  four  to  America  by  his  parents,  James  and  Anne 
Vassar,  who  were  dissenters  and  wished  to  escape  the 
taxation  involved  in  the  tithes  of  the  church.  In  1797, 
the  family  purchased  a  farm  on  the  shores  of  Wap- 
penger's  Creek,  near  Poughkeepsie,  and  here,  by  rais- 
ing their  own  barley  and  making  home-brewed  beer, 
they  started  in  a  small  way  the  business  in  which  after- 
ward Matthew  made  his  fortune.  In  1801,  the  Vassar 
brewery  was  started  in  Poughkeepsie  and  the  family 
moved  to  town.  Matthew  got  little  education  here,  in 
fact  did  not  stay  with  his  parents  long,  as  he  ran  away 
from  home  in  1806  to  avoid  being  apprenticed  to  a 
tanner,  and  worked  in  the  country  near  Newburgh  for 
four  years,  saving  during  that  time  $150.00, — an  in- 


2  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

dication  of  the  thrift  which  later  was  to  make  his 
fortune. 

In  1 8 10,  Matthew  returned  home  to  help  his  father 
in  the  brewery,  but  a  year  later  calamity  visited  the 
family,  for  the  brewery  was  burned,  the  older  son  was 
killed,  and  the  father  ruined.  Matthew  Vassar 
now  had  to  start  again  for  himself,  and  he 
began  by  brewing  ale  in  a  small  way  and  by 
opening  an  "  oyster  saloon  "  in  the  basement  of  the 
court-house.  Business  went  well  enough  so  that  in 
1 8 13  he  married  Catharine  Valentine,  but  the  struggle 
to  secure  a  fortune  was  long  and  arduous.  Twenty 
years  of  industry,  however,  were  rewarded  by  success. 
A  large,  new  brewery  was  built  on  the  river  in  1836, 
and  the  tide  of  prosperity  kept  rising. 

His  fortune  made,  Mr.  Vassar  in  1845  went  with 
his  wife  and  his  friend,  Cyrus  Swan,  to  Europe.  It 
was  during  these  travels  that  he  was  so  impressed  by 
the  sight  of  the  London  Hospital,  founded  by  his  rela- 
tive, Thomas  Guy,  that  he  began  to  dream  dreams  of 
seeing  himself  famous  as  a  benefactor  of  mankind. 
After  his  return,  Mr.  Vassar  enjoyed  his  wealth  in 
another  way,  by  purchasing  a  farm  of  about  fifty  acres 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  south  of  Poughkeepsie,  and 
laying  it  out  as  a  beautiful  country  estate.  "  Spring- 
side,"  as  it  was  called,  became  his  delight  and  pride. 

But  now  the  great  problem  of  his  life  became  the 
particular  form  in  which  his  vision  of  fame  should 
take  shape.  Mr.  Vassar  was  wisely  determined  to  be 
his  own  executor  and  to  carry  out  himself  whatever 
plans  he  should  make.  Many  persons  were  eager  to 
direct  his  philanthropic  zeal  and  various  schemes,  par- 
ticularly one  of  a  city  hospital,  were  urged.    But  Mr. 


Matthew  Vassar 


Vassar  had  early  been  interested  in  the  education  of 
girls  by  his  niece,  Lydia  Booth,  who  had  a  school  in 
Poughkeepsie ;  and  now  the  novel  idea  of  a  college  for 
young  women  was  implanted  in  his  mind  by  Milo  P. 
Jewett,  an  educator,  who  had  taken  Miss  Booth's 
school,  '*  College  Hill  Seminary  ",  after  her  death.  It 
was  under  the  persistence  and  persuasiveness  of  Mr. 
Jewett  that  Mr.  Vassar  was  convinced  of  the  dignity 
and  glory  of  the  plan  proposed, — "  to  build  and  endow 
a  college  for  young  women  which  shall  be  to  them  what 
Yale  and  Harvard  are  to  young  men."  Mr.  Jewett  re- 
iterated to  him  that  there  was  not  an  endowed  college 
for  young  women  in  the  world  although  there  were 
"  plenty  of  female  colleges  so-called  "  with  "  no  libra- 
ries, cabinets,  museums,  apparatus  worth  mentioning." 
And  Mr.  Vassar  was  assured  that  if  he  would  build 
such  a  college,  it  would  be  "  a  monument  more  lasting 
than  the  pyramids."  In  1861  the  great  step  was  taken 
and  the  charter  of  Vassar  College  was  secured.  On 
February  26,  1861,  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  was  held  in  the  Gregory  House  (now  the 
Morgan  House)  of  Poughkeepsie  and  here  Mr.  Vas- 
sar at  the  end  of  a  dignified  and  remarkable  address, 
presented  to  the  trustees  a  tin  box  containing  funds 
for  the  founding  of  the  college, — more  than  four  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  of  his  wealth.  The  photograph 
of  the  Founder  in  the  act  of  presentation  is  the  pic- 
ture of  the  new  romance  of  the  brewer's  life.  For 
clearly  Matthew  Vassar's  pioneer  work  for  the  educa- 
tion of  women  had  become  his  great  romance. 

And  under  it,  life  was  transformed  for  him  for  seven 
years.  New  interests,  new  business,  new  friends,  new 
ideas,  and  the  applause  of  the  world.    Like  Byron,  he 


4  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

awoke  one  morning  to  find  that  the  fame  which  he 
coveted  was  his.  And  with  what  pride  he  refers  to  the 
file  of  letters  from  distinguished  gentlemen  educators 
in  this  country  and  abroad  that  poured  in  upon  him! 
Soon  life-sized  portraits  of  "  the  Founder  of  Vassar 
Female  College  "  must  be  painted  and  bronze  statue 
planned  and  his  "  likenesses  "  distributed.  And  it  is 
all  done  with  such  naive  surprise  over  his  own  new  im- 
portance that  the  old  man's  childlike  frankness  disarms 
any  criticism  of  his  vanity,  even  when  he  jots  down  in 
his  diary:  "  The  founder  of  Vassar  College  and  Presi- 
dent Lincon — ^Two  Noble  Emancipists — one  of 
Woman — The  Negro." 

The  story  of  the  development  of  his  plan  and  the 
achievement  of  his  purpose  is  really  told  by  the  diary 
pages  and  letters  printed  in  this  volume,  and  hardly 
an  outline  is  needed  here.  The  first  excitement  and  joy 
of  the  enterprise  were  soon  shadowed  by  differences 
with  Mr.  Jewett  who  had  been  appointed  the  first 
president  of  the  college.  He  was  evidently,  for  all  his 
ability  and  power,  persona  non  grata  to  Mr.  Vassar's 
nephew,  Matthew,  who  was  closely  associated  with  the 
Founder  in  his  work,  and  his  influence  was  gradually 
undermined  by  his  enemies  and  finally  overthrown  by 
the  discovery  of  a  rash  letter  which  he  had  written 
In  sharp  criticism  of  the  Founder.  It  was  a  real 
tragedy  for  Milo  P.  Jewett  that  he  had  to  resign 
the  Presidency  before  Vassar  College,  an  institu- 
tion doubtless  conceived  by  his  own  brain,  had  ever 
opened. 

The  next  President,  John  Howard  Raymond,  was 
able  to  unite  all  factions  and  to  work  happily  with  Mr. 
Vassar  for  the  opening  and  establishing  of  the  college. 


Matthew  Vassar 


With  great  confidence  in  his  ability,  and  experience  (as 
President  of  the  Brooklyn  Polytechnic  Institute),  Mr. 
Vassar,  as  ill  health  and  years  weighed  upon  him,  re- 
signed all  direct  control  of  college  matters  and  while 
still  living,  entered  into  the  reward  of  his  labors, — the 
spontaneous  devotion  proffered  to  him  by  the  early 
students  of  the  college. 

He  had  never  had  children.  His  wife  was  now  dead. 
It  was  as  fitting  as  it  was  dramatic  that  his  life  should 
end  at  the  scene  of  his  great  work.  On  June  23,  1868, 
he  expired  at  the  college  while  making  his  address  to 
the  trustees.  In  the  last  part  of  the  speech,  which  had 
not  been  delivered,  he  had  written  words  typical  of  his 
whole  attitude  towards  the  college :  "  If  we  only  fol- 
low on  in  the  old  beaten  paths  we  will  make  no  prog- 
ress. We  do  no  more  than  others  have  done  before 
us.  We  are  only  copyists  and  not  progressionists.  My 
motto  is  progress." 

The  greatest  fact  in  Matthew  Vassar's  life  is  the 
founding  of  the  college  that  bears  his  name,  but  out  of 
that  work  emerges  an  intensely  interesting  personality. 
The  object  of  publishing  Matthew  Vassar's  own  words 
(in  autobiography,  diary,  and  letters)  is  to  make  the 
man  himself  known,  fairly  and  fully,  in  the  belief  that 
he  is  well  worth  knowing. 

It  was  once  the  fashion  not  to  refer  to  Mr.  Vassar's 
lack  of  education,  to  ignore  the  stories  of  his  small 
economies  bordering  on  stinginess,  and  to  forget  the 
ale.    Indeed,  a  popular  Vassar  song  with  the  refrain : 

And  so  you  see,  to  old  V.  C. 
Our  love  shall  never  fail. 
Full  well  we  know  that  all  we  owe 
To  Matthew  Vassar's  ale, 


6  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

was  changed  for  propriety  to 

And  so  you  see,  to  old  V.  C. 
Our  love  shall  never  fade. 
Full  well  we  know  that  all  we  owe 
To  Matthew  Vassar's  aid. 

A  more  fair-minded  world  today  is  willing  to  see  a 
great  man  as  he  really  was,  is  more  inclined  to  esti- 
mate pettinesses  in  comparison  with  larger  qualities, 
and  to  demand  even  for  a  hero  (or  a  Founder!)  an 
historical  picture.  This  certainly  was  Matthew  Vas- 
sar's own  way  of  telling  his  story.  His  autobiography 
is  marked  by  frankness  and  simplicity.  A  pioneer  in 
work  for  education,  he  states  very  openly  that  he  him- 
self got  almost  no  education,  "  scarcely  to  read  and 
write  ".  He  is  equally  truthful  about  his  poverty,  and 
his  lowly  occupations.    No  false  shame  stayed  his  pen. 

The  material  in  existence  for  knowing  Mr.  Vassar  at 
first  hand  consists  of  his  "  Communications  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees"  (already  published  in  pamphlet 
form),  a  slight  autobiography  written  in  1866,  diaries 
from  1 862-1 865  and  letters  ranging  from  i860  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  There  has  been  some  discussion 
about  the  form  in  which  these  should  be  presented  to 
the  world,  but  on  the  advice  of  the  publishers  and  a 
number  of  scholars  it  has  been  decided  to  print  every- 
thing with  the  grammar  and  spelling  of  the  manu- 
scripts. Matthew  Vassar  presents  the  curious  paradox 
of  an  uneducated  business  man  who  is  a  pioneer  in  edu- 
cation. His  own  letters  show  the  keenness  of  his  mind 
and  the  originality  with  which  he  turned  his  practical 
common  sense  upon  educational  problems.  Irregulari- 
ties In  spelling  can  hardly  belittle  his  memory. 


Matthew  Vassar 


Paul  Leicester  Ford  in  his  account  of  "  The  True 
George  Washington  ",  states  that  "  through  his  whole 
life  Washington  was  a  non-conformist  as  regarded  the 
King's  English :  struggle  as  he  undoubtedly  did,  the  in- 
stinct of  correct  spelling  was  absent,  and  thus  every 
now  and  then  a  verbal  slip  appeared:  extravagence, 
lettely  (iov  lately),  glew,  riffle  (for  rifle),  latten  (for 
Latin),  immagine,  winder,  rief  ffor  rife),  oppertunity, 
spirma  citi,  yellow  oaker, — such  are  types  of  his  lapses 
late  in  life,  while  his  earlier  letters  and  journals  are 
far  more  inaccurate  ".  The  publishing  of  the  letters 
of  Washington  and  of  facsimiles  of  them  has  not  in- 
jured the  fame  of  the  Father  of  his  Country. 
And  the  reader  who  looks  at  the  facsimile  of  one 
of  Mr.  Vassar's  letters  will  get  the  impression  which 
the  mass  of  letters  gives;  for  the  careful  vigorous  hand- 
writing of  the  old  man  and  the  quaint  humor  of  his 
expressions  make  the  fact  that  he  writes  "  asside  "  and 
*'  realy  "  and  "  pleasentry  "  of  negligible  importance. 

Mr.  Vassar  had  the  pride  and  sense  of  power  which 
naturally  belong  to  the  self-made  man  and  these  feel- 
ings too  he  frankly  expressed.  "  It  has  for  many  years 
been,"  he  wrote  on  September  5,  1864,  "  my  last  cher- 
ished wish  and  hope  to  leave  a  memory  behind  me 
that  could  be  an  honor  to  my  family  name.  This  last 
act  of  mine  is  the  result  of  Industry,  Perserverance 
and  Self-reliance  and  neither  kindred  nor  friends  have 
reached  me  an  assistant  hand.  The  road  I  have  passed 
is  open  for  all  who  will  mould  their  character  in  hon- 
orable pursuits  by  the  same  means." 

He  felt,  however,  considerable  diffidence  at  first  in 
regard  to  expressing  himself  on  the  new  business  which 
was  now  his  life  work,  educational  problems.    To  Ed- 


8  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

ward  Youmans  on  March  22,  1861,  he  spoke  his  dread 
of  having  any  of  his  remarks  printed.  "  I  fear  it 
would  be  looked  upon  as  a  sort  of  burlesque  by  the 
literati  of  our  Country,  a  humble  obscure  citizen  pre- 
suming to  intrude  in  the  ranks  of  polite  literature  ". 
But  he  adds :  "  Yet  I  am  so  extremely  flattered  with  that 
idea  that  I  consent  willingly  \i  you  can  derive  profit 
from  its  publication  ". 

Again  on  Oct.  2,  '62,  he  wrote  to  Charles  A.  Ray- 
mond in  regard  to  the  College  organization  and  man- 
agement "  in  getting  on  to  this  ground  I  am  perfectly 
aware  of  my  ignorance  to  lead,  and  perhaps  my  folly 
even  to  suggest  any  thing  new.  .  .  .  yet  relying  upon 
a  long  life  observation  and  experience  in  the  Common 
business  affairs  of  the  world  I  may  have  gathered  up 
some  knowledge  that  may  have  escaped  thro'  their  ap- 
parent insignificiency,  the  minds  of  the  more  learned  ". 
And  later  on  (Jan.  19,  1864),  he  humorously  declares: 
"  I  have  been  so  long  surrounded  with  the  brillancy  of 
professional  acumen,  that  I  have  almost  lost  all  my 
common  sense." 

How  Mr.  Vassar  came  to  feel  that  his  "  common 
sense  "  which  had  made  him  successful  in  the  business 
world  could  contribute  something  to  the  educational 
world  is  best  expressed  in  his  address  to  the  trustees 
Feb.  23,  1864. 

"  As  I  have  now  withdrawn  from  every  other  occu- 
pation my  activities  centre  here  to  such  an  extent,  that 
scarcely  an  hour  occurs  which  does  not  bring  with  it 
reflections  respecting  the  best  mode  of  accomplishing 
this  one  great  object  which  has  become  the  nearest  to 
my  heart.  Three  years  I  have  devoted  to  this  cause 
alone — ^years  full  of  information,  discussion,  and  sug- 


Matthew  Vassar 


gestion,  from  almost  every  source  and  every  variety 
of  experience  and  mind. 

It  is  thus  that  my  own  education  upon  this  special 
subject,  in  all  its  phases  and  relations,  developed  by 
such  opportunities  as  offered,  by  reading  and  reflection, 
has  given  me  a  better  confidence  in  my  own  convictions 
even  upon  matters  not  previously  familiar  to  my 
thoughts." 

The  letters  themselves  show  the  very  processes  of 
Mr.  Vassar's  mind  as  he  gathered  in  "  suggestion  from 
almost  every  source  and  every  variety  of  experience." 
Milo  P.  Jewett  infused  him  with  the  idea  of  founding 
a  college  for  women.  Sarah  Jane  Hale  convinced  him 
that  the  word  "  Female  "  should  be  removed  from  the 
name  of  the  college  and  supported  him  in  his  idea 
that  women  should  educate  women.  Edward  Youmans, 
by  request,  helped  him  clarify  his  thoughts  on  "  '  The 
Female '  '  her  education '  her  sphere  and  availability 
for  the  greatest  usefulness  in  life,  and,  the  best  proc- 
ess to  impart  it."  Charles  H.  Raymond,  a  most  in- 
fluential but  second-rate  adviser  appealed  to  his  busi- 
ness thrift  with  a  plan  of  a  sliding  scale  of  salaries  for 
professors,  proportioned  to  their  success.  And  we  find 
Mr.  Vassar  jotting  down  in  his  diary  from  a  book 
called  "  Woman's  Apology  "  by  Miss  Nemo  an  idea 
which  he  often  repeated  in  varying  forms:  "  It  is  in 
vain  to  educate  Womans  power  of  thought  and  then 
limit  the  opperation — Education  and  Liberty  walk 
hand  in  hand  ". 

But  as  he  investigated,  discussed  and  assimilated  the 
ideas  of  others,  Mr.  Vassar  began  to  make  certain 
large  ideas  his  own  and  to  reiterate  them  as  funda- 
mental for  woman's  education.     He  was  never  more 


lo  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

spontaneous  than  when  he  talked  of  his  "  great  object 
'physical  exercise'  "  and  remarkable  for  his  time  was 
his  belief  that  women  should  have  "  daily  exposure  to 
the  pure  air  in  joyous  unrestrained  activity  ".  So  he 
chose  "  the  spacious  grounds  at  Mill  Cove  "  for  the 
college,  provided  a  gymnasium  and  bowling  alley,  sug- 
gested a  bathing  pool,  and  favored  dancing  as  "  a 
healthful  and  graceful  exercise  ". 

Again  he  came  to  believe  that  women  should  be  given 
not  only  education,  but  opportunity  to  use  education 
and  therefore  in  his  college  professorships  must  be 
open  to  women  and  perhaps  largely  filled  by  them, — 
"  a  college  for  women  "  is  his  repeated  phrase. 

Such  a  college,  too,  must  be  Christian  always,  but 
never  sectarian,  and  in  regard  to  nothing  else  does  the 
Founder  express  himself  more  strongly  than  against 
having  the  name  of  Baptist  or  the  name  of  any  creed 
stamped  upon  the  college  walls.  "  I  hold  all  Chris- 
tians alike  ",  he  said  in  a  letter.  And  in  his  address  to 
the  trustees  on  Feb.  23,  1864,  he  urged: 

"  Let  our  pupils  see  and  know  that  beyond  every 
difference  there  is,  after  all,  but  one  God,  one  gospel; 
and  that  the  spires  of  whatsoever  church  forever  point 
toward  one  heaven.  And  upon  this  point  again,  with- 
out disparagement  to  any  other  religious  source,  permit 
me  to  add  that  the  strongest  incentives  to  goodness,  and 
the  most  valuable  religious  tendencies,  will  be  found 
to  flow  most  of  all,  like  an  emanation,  from  the  pres- 
ence of  gifted,  cultivated  Christian  women." 

The  value  of  the  study  of  Art  was  another  idea 
which  so  possessed  Mr.  Vassar's  mind  that  by  "  a  new 
donation  of  $20,000  "  he  secured  the  collection  of  pic- 
tures owned  by  Doctor  E.  L.  Magoon.     "  I  wish  to 


Matthew  Vassar  1 1 

make  our  Art  Rooms  a  decided  attraction  at  once  ",  he 
wrote  June  9,  '64,  "  with  the  hope  of  course  that  it 
may  continue  to  grow  in  beauty,  value  &  in  educa- 
tional and  refining  power." 

His  standard  for  the  whole  equipment  and  work  of 
the  college  was  the  highest,  and  how  his  keen  business 
sense  supported  his  ideal  is  seen  in  a  remarkable  letter 
written  near  the  end  of  his  life  (June  10,  '68)  to 
President  Raymond. 

"  My  maxim  or  motto  is  now  the  same  as  at  the  be- 
gining  of  our  enterprise.  Do  all  things,  Intelecturall  and 
Material  the  best,  and  make  your  prices  accordingly. 
....  The  idea  that  "  during  the  infancy  of  the  Col- 
lege to  court  public  patronage  by  catering  to  cheap  or 
low  prices  of  instruction  is  to  my  mind  rediculous.  .  .  . 
I  go  for  the  best  means  cost  what  they  may  &  corre- 
sponding prices  for  tuition  in  return.  .  .  .  Suppose 
we  raised  the  terms  (altho'  I  would  not  as  a  whole) 
only  on  the  ornamental  branches,  do  you  suppose  the 
College  would  be  relieved  of  Pupils.  .  .  .  Nay,  not  a 
wit,  I  am  therefore  for  giving  the  Daughters  of  the 
public  the  very  best  Means  of  Education,  and  make 
them  pay  for  it! 

I  will  stake  my  reputation  on  the  result.  .  .  .  The 
best  article  in  Market  always  meets  with  the  most  read- 
iest and  quickest  Sale,  and  as  a  general  rule  pays  the 
largest  profit ! 

I  dont  believe  in  erecting  a  "  Monument "  to  my 
everlasting  Shame  by  a  failure  in  Judgement  in  its  con- 
ductment  &." 

How  deeply  Mr.  Vassar  became  interested  in  the 
educational  problems  of  the  college  has  been  shown 
by  his  own  words.    His  oversight  of  the  business  side 


12  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

from  the  first  was  detailed  and  unflagging  from  the 
times  when  he  debated  whether  to  delay  the  comple- 
tion of  the  buildings  because  of  the  depreciation  of  se- 
curities on  account  of  the  war,  to  the  memorandum  in 
his  diary  on  May  27,  1865  of  college  matters  yet  to  be 
attended  to, — an  amazingly  long,  and  varied  list.  It 
was  not  strange  that  three  weeks  after  this  entry  the 
old  man  of  seventy-three  made  the  touching  record: 
"  Sick  and  tired  of  College  business,  no  one  to  help  me, 
Except  "  Scow  ",  Doct.  Raymond  &  Swan.  Bucking- 
ham does  all  he  can ".  The  next  day  Mr. 
Vassar  told  President  Raymond  of  his  resolu- 
tion to  resign  from  the  Chairmanship  of  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  College.  His  unfalter- 
ing business  sense  did  not  fail  him  when  the  time  came 
to  relinquish  the  helm  to  other  hands. 

For  three  years  more,  Mr.  Vassar  watched  hi.«^ 
great  work  expand.  And  during  this  time  he  realized 
the  reward  of  all  his  labors  in  the  honor  and  affection 
given  him  by  the  students  of  the  college.  How  in- 
terested he  was  in  all  their  college  life,  out-doors  and 
in,  is  seen  in  his  letters  to  a  student  who  had  voiced 
the  devotion  of  the  college  in  a  poem  written  for  the 
first  Founder's  Day.  These  letters  are  in  his  happiest 
mood. 

One  delight  about  all  the  letters  of  Mr.  Vassar  is 
their  evidence  of  the  range  of  persons  with  whom  he 
was  connected  in  the  making  of  the  college :  educators 
like  Henry  Barnard,  Samuel  Gregory  and  Martin  B. 
Anderson;  women  with  a  passion  for  woman's  cause 
like  Maria  Mitchell  and  Sarah  Jane  Hale;  two  presi- 
dents of  the  college;  trustees  who  numbered  in  their 
body  historian,  inventor,  art  connoisseur,  and  clergy- 


Matthew  Vassar  13 

men;  and  last  the  undergraduates.  His  reactions  to 
all  these  different  kinds  of  people,  his  interest  in  them 
are  vivid. 

The  phraseology  of  the  letters  is  another  source  of 
pleasure  in  them  and  stamps  them  as  Mr.  Vassar's  own. 
The  question  has  often  been  raised  as  to  whether  Mr. 
Vassar  actually  wrote  his  addresses  to  the  trustees.  A 
letter  to  Edward  Youmans  explicitly  asked  that  gen- 
tleman to  outline  an  address  for  the  ceremony  of  the 
laying  of  the  corner  stone,  but  when  he  forwarded 
a  finished  speech  for  that  occasion,  Mr.  Vassar  re- 
jected it  as  "  too  elaborate  "  and  lacking  "  pithiness 
and  points  for  such  a  ceremony."  Mr.  Jewett  in  a 
manuscript  narrative,  (written  about  eighteen  years 
later),  claimed  that  he  wrote  out  in  full  the  address 
the  Founder  should  make  to  the  trustees  at  their  first 
meeting,  and  that  Mr.  Vassar  had  "  adopted  as  his  own 
the  sentiments  which  had  almost  daily  been  urged  upon 
him  for  the  previous  five  years."  Undoubtedly  Milo 
P.  Jewett's  ideas  were  engrafted  on  Matthew  Vassar's 
mind  and  went  into  the  making  of  his  early  speeches. 
Then  the  form  of  the  "  Communications  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees  "  as  they  were  printed  in  pamphlet  shows 
that  spelling  at  least  was  corrected  and  probably  gram- 
mar and  diction  polished,  for  they  give  virtually  no 
suggestion  of  having  been  composed  by  a  man  of  slight 
education.  But  the  letters  show  conclusively  that  the 
ideas  set  forth  in  the  formal  addresses  were  the  cur- 
rent thought  of  Mr.  Vassar's  mind  and  the  subjects  of 
his  most  informal  communications.  Moreover,  notes  in 
the  diaries  of  Feb.  12,  1864,  June  16,  1864, 
March  24,  1865,  and  June  25,  1865,  show  that  Mr. 
Vassar  wrote  his  own  speeches,  read  them  to  President 


14  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Raymond  and  Mr.  Swan  before  the  meetings  of  the 
trustees,  and  that  in  one  case  Doctor  Raymond  "  cor- 
rected "  his  address.  This  seems  rather  conclusive  evi- 
dence that  in  certain  of  the  speeches  at  least  the  bulk 
of  the  work  is  Mr.  Vassar's. 

The  letters  are  read  with  the  satisfaction  of  know- 
ing that  they  are  certainly  the  words  of  Matthew  Vas- 
sar  himself,  and  the  reader  is  glad  of  that,  even  when 
newly  made  words  like  rambulating,  insignificiency, 
beconied,  conductment,  briefity  occasionally  appear. 
The  phraseology  is  often  made  up  of  popular  sayings, 
proverbs,  and  comparisons  which  give  a  flavor  of  every- 
day conversation. 

"  What  is  generaly  taught  in  schools  tends  about  as 
much  toward  discipline,  self  knowledge,  self  preserva- 
tion, or  complete  living  as  the  fact '  My  Neighbors  Cat 
Kittened  Yesterday ' — a  laughable  but  excellent  illus- 
tration." 

"  It  is  an  old  proverb  that  there  is  no  use  of  crying 
over  '  Spilt  Milk  '  nor  can  that  which  is  lacking  be  num- 
bered." 

"  It  is  a  quaint  saying  that  you  cannot  loose  what 
you  do  not  posses." 

"  This  nail  was  a  clincher." 

"  It  will  be  the  identical  shoal  our  College  bark  will 
strike  and  if  not  opening  a  seam  wide  enough  to  sink 
her,  will  at  least  so  much  impair  her  seaworthiness  as 
to  demand  frequent  repairs." 

"  I  do  not  expect  to  make  WistUz  out  of  pigs  tails 
or  to  give  new  constitutions  to  organic  invalids." 

*'  A  Knowledge  of  a  disease  is  said  to  be  half  its 
Cure  '\ 

"  There  must  not  be,  and  there  will  not  be  with  my 


Matthew  Vassar  15 

consent  a  nursery  opened  in  V.  F.  C.  for  mere  sinecures. 
....  Nothing  is  so  destructive  to  my  Bee-Apirary  at 
Springside  as  the  confounded  old  Drone  bees,  they 
neither  gather  honey  themselves,  nor  let  those  that 
would  be  busy,  work." 

"  My  maxim  in  all  human  policys  is  viz :  whatever 
you  do,  do  well — if  it  is  to  cut  off  a  limb,  do  it  quickly 
and  thoroughly  taking  no  more  time  and  no  less  of  it 
than  is  necessary  for  the  health  and  good  of  the  pa- 
tient." 

"  It  is  just  as  important  that  we  have  our  Scholars 
under  our  own  control  as  the  Colonel  of  a  Brigade 
when  going  into  battle.  .  .  .  there  furloughs  &  passes 
are  never  granted  without  absolut  necessity." 

Interspersed  amidst  such  colloquial  chatting  are  a 
few  letters  of  a  more  pompous  sort  in  which  the  sim- 
plicity and  humor  of  the  man  are  lost  in  the  importance 
of  the  Founder.  To  Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  one  of  the 
charter  trustees,  Mr.  Vassar  writes  a  request  for  a 
portrait  of  himself,  and  after  telling  Mr.  Morse  that 
a  portrait  of  Edward  Everett  has  been  given  and  hung 
on  one  side  of  the  picture  of  the  Founder,  he  adds : 

"  And  if  I  now  could  be  so  happy  to  prevail  on  you 
to  donate  to  the  College  a  Oil  painting  of  yourself  to 
be  placed  on  the  other  Side  of  my  picture,  you  would 
not  only  confer  a  personal  favor  on  me,  that  I  shall 
highly  appreciate,  but  in  time  to  come  it  would  illus- 
trate the  american  representatives  of  Science  and  Art 
that  gave  birth  to  my  own  inspirations  of  donating 
the  whole  results  of  my  long  lifes  perseverance  to  the 
cultivation  of  Art  and  Science  for  Woman  as  well  as 
for  man  ". 

This  Is  the  tone  of  the  Founder,  and  the  pompous 


1 6  Autobiography  and  Letters 

style  and  the  homely  are  interlaced  in  the  correspond- 
ence. Together  they  give  a  composite  picture  of  Mat- 
thew Vassar. 

For  through  autobiography,  diaries  and  letters  the 
picture  of  Matthew  Vassar  is  painted  as  clearly  as  in 
Elliott's  or  Wright's  life-sized  portrait.  A  man  who 
had  been  forced  by  poverty  to  count  the  pennies  until 
petty  economy  was  his  habit,  through  his  own  thrift 
and  keenness  makes  a  large  fortune.  Without  educa- 
tion, he  sets  out  in  old  age  on  the  adventure  of  giving 
education  to  others,  and  agog  for  fame,  takes  the 
chivalrous  road  of  pioneer  work  for  a  woman's  col- 
lege. To  that  novel  scheme,  he  gives  all  his  interest, 
his  time  and  his  fortune  until  he  himself  is  educated 
unaware,  and  his  thought  extended  beyond  the  limit- 
ing walls  of  the  brewery  to  the  unbounded  kingdom  of 
the  mind.  Simplicity  itself  in  voicing  his  wish  for  fame, 
he  marvels  at  the  attainment  of  his  desire.  Directly 
as  he  expressed  his  pride  in  his  work,  Vassar  Female 
College,  he  never  seems  to  have  realized  that  he  him- 
self was  as  unique  an  appearance  in  the  field  of  edu- 
cation. Business  ability  and  common  sense  were  the 
qualities  he  saw  in  himself.  His  letters  show  him 
as  a  larger  person, — of  quaint  humor,  vigorous  ex- 
pression, sound  judgment  and  high  standard  for  work 
of  any  sort,  a  man  who  made  ale  and  college  alike  the 
best  in  the  market.  Few  men  at  the  end  of  a  long  ex- 
acting business  life  have  the  vigor  and  interest  to  grasp 
an  absorbing  new  idea.  Matthew  Vassar  at  seventy 
espoused  the  cause  of  woman,  and  in  championing  her 
education  made  himself  more  than  famous. 


THE  AUTOBIOGRAPHY  AND  THE  DIARIES 

The  autobiography  of  Matthew  Vassar  is  a  brief 
story  recorded  in  the  Founder's  own  stiff  handwriting, 
and  covering  a  few  pages  in  a  cheap  note-book  of  ruled 
paper/  It  is  in  the  nature  of  a  reminiscence  written  in 
1 8 66,  so  that  the  events  of  his  life  are  reviewed  by  a 
man  who  is  still  ingenuously  surprised  at  his  new  im- 
portance as  a  great  benefactor  in  the  educational  world. 
From  this  viewpoint,  the  old  man  is  inclined  to  dwell 
on  the  marvellous  preservation  of  his  life  at  various 
times,  as  if  feeling  that  he  was  saved  for  the  final  great 
purpose.  And  this  wonder  about  his  work  may  be 
back  of  his  simple  statement  of  his  utter  lack  of  educa- 
tion. The  interest  in  the  story  of  Matthew  Vassar 
lies  precisely  in  this  contrast  between  his  lack  of  for- 
mal school  training,  and  his  adoption  and  origination 
of  great  educational  ideas.  To  emphasize  the  marvel 
of  this  contrast,  the  autobiography  and  the  extracts 
from  the  diary  are  printed  with  the  original  spelling  of 
the  Founder.  The  collection  of  letters  is  made  up  partly 
from  originals  where  the  spelling  is  Mr.  Vassar's  own 
and  partly  from  the  copy-book  kept  by  his  clerk  in 
which  the  spelling  is  much  better.  It  has  seemed  wise 
not  to  attempt  to  change  these  idiosyncrasies  of  orthog- 
raphy, but  the  letters  copied  by  the  clerk  are  starred. 

1  There  exist  two  fragmentary  attempts,  made  by  Mr.  Vassar  to  rewrite  this  auto- 
biography, and  a  manuscript  in  another  hand  in  which  the  whole  is  recast  In  a  pom- 
pous strain  with  many  moral  reflections.  It  has  seemed  best  to  print  Mr.  Vassar's 
original  sketch. 

17 


1 8  Autobiography  and  Letters 

A  few  letters  dealing  merely  with  business  routine  have 
been  omitted. 

The  diaries  owned  by  the  college  are  four  small 
leather  volumes  for  the  years  1862,  1863,  1864  and 
1865,  in  which  Mr.  Vassar  jotted  down  in  pencil  mem- 
oranda of  events  day  by  day.  There  is  a  medley  of 
remarks  on  the  weather,  petty  accounts,  expenditures 
for  charity  (underscored  twice  in  the  margin!),  rec- 
ords of  daily  trips  out  to  college  and  of  his  companions, 
details  of  the  building  of  the  college  and  the  plan- 
ning of  the  grounds,  statements  of  accidents  to  work- 
men and  of  various  discouragements.  Along  with 
these  are  more  personal  notes  of  real  feeling, — over 
the  loss  of  his  dog  Tip ;  on  his  waking  at  midnight  on 
his  birthday;  on  the  first  anniversary  of  his  wife's 
death, — and  intermingled  with  all  these  jottings  are 
sudden  startled  comments  on  national  events, — the 
surrender  of  Lee's  army;  the  assassination  of  Lincoln. 

Nothing  brings  the  Founder  nearer  to  us  than  these 
penciled  notes.  A  selection  has  been  made  of  typical 
pages  and  of  the  most  interesting  records.  At  the 
back  of  the  volumes  aphorisms,  remedies  and  anec- 
dotes are  introduced.    Some  of  these  too  are  copied. 


THE  AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

PREFACE  TO  THE  FOREGOING  REMARKS 

The  birthday,  or  day  of  one^  birth  has  always  for 
time  immemoriable  been  regarded  as  an  epoch  pecuHar 
among  civilised  nations,  and  is  at  this  day  observed 
among  many  familes,  but  that  of  the  married  relations 
still  more  so  as  to  induce  its  observance  to  be  cele- 
brated with  much  feasting  glee  &c  at  every  return  of 
a  quarterly  century  calP  a  Silver  Wedding  &  half  cen- 
tury a  Golden  Wedding,  but  with  our  family*  neither 
of  these  old  custom*  has  ever  been  observed  especialy 
with  me  as  it  has  always  been  a  mooted  question  on 
what  day  /  was  born,  the  family  record  reporting  it 
at  mid-night,  Father  insisting  it  was  before  12  O'ck  at 
night,  and  Mother  after  12  O'ck  on  the  28*^  April 
1792.  This  being  settled,  I  commence  my  worldly 
carier  briefly  as  follows — —  M.  Vassar  married  on 
the  7""  March  18 13  to  Catherine  Valentine  by  Rev^ 
Lewis  Leonard. 
Monday  4th  December,  1866. 

A  few  reminiscences  of  my  Life,  many  of  which 
being  only  connected  with  my  buisness  relations  I  have 
omitted,  and  much  besides  of  no  interest  to  the  public, 
and  would  not  have  written  these,  but  at  the  request 
of  several  friends  with  reference  to  the  Institution  of 
which  I  am  the  Founder. 

1792 
Born  according  to  the  Old  Records  in  the  Family  Bible 
April  29**'  1792  at  Seaming  East-Tuddingham,  County 
of  Norfolk,  Duffee-Green,  England. 

19 


20  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

The  earlest  reccollection  I  have  of  myself  would  not 
date  back  as  far  as  the  memory  of  my  worthy  friends, 
Ephram  Chandler  Holbrook,  or  Henry  Conklin,  the 
former  remembering  when  he  was  weaned  the  latter 
hearing  the  trinketts  or  keys  rattle  in  his  mother' 
POCKETT  before  he  was  born,  but  i  do  remember 
from  the  age  of  3  to  4  years  old  of  being  placed  by 
my  Elder  Brother  upon  the  back  of  one  of  my  Fathers 
farm  horses,  (John  Guy  Vassar)  he  riding  one  & 
seating  me  on  the  other  to  go  with  them  to  water  to 
a  pond  near  the  family  Farm  house,  which  pond  may  be 
seen  in  the  rear  of  the  brick  homestead  with  tile  roof 
In  an  oil-painting  in  my  possesion, — I  say  on  decend- 
ing  the  bank  (to  the  water)  being  steep,  the  horse 
when  in  a  little  ways,  curved  his  head  to  drink,  when 
I  tottled  over  his  neck  into  the  pond  making  an  awfull 
plash  &  frighting  both  horses  starting  them  in  a  run, 
the  other  horse  throwing  off  my  Brother.  Here  in 
under  the  water  I  lay  completely  submerged  &  almost 
Lifeless  before  rescued  by  some  one  of  the  family,  I 
do  not  distinctly  remember  who. 

Another  adventure  with  a  narrow  escape  of  my  Life 
was  being  chased  by  a  furious  English  Bull  in  crossing 
a  large  common  on  the  Estate  of  the  Lord  of  the 
Manor  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  on  this  wise,  my  elder 
Sister  Sophia  10  years  my  senior  in  company,  to 
shorten  the  distance  of  our  walk  to  a  Neighbours  (a 
Mr.  Bond),  passed  over  a  "Style"  of  a  "Haw- 
thorne hedge  ",  and  when  about  midway  of  the  field 
saw  a  herd  of  Cattle  feeding,  a  scarlet  shawl  on  my 
sister  attracted  the  animals  attention,  when  a  Bull 
furiously  made  to-wards  us  bellowing  &  throwing  up 


Matthew  Vassar  21 


the  Earth  with  his  hoofs,  hurring  my  Sister  &  drag- 
ging me  along  and  just  reaching  the  outer  bounds  of 
the  field  enclosure  on  the  opposite  Side  as  the  enraged 
Animal  at  the  moment  came  up. 

1795 

This  year  or  the  year  following  I  do  not  remember 
distinctly  which,  my  Sister  Maria  (Maria  Booth)  took 
me  to  another  Neighbours  house  and  who  had  a  Boy 
about  my  age  or  a  few  years  elder,  who  as  soon  as  he 
saw  me  to  show  his  love  and  friendship  began  to  grasp 
the  hair  of  my  head,  pulling  it  out  by  inches,  not  a 
little  to  my  senseabillity  &  disquietatude,  and  add  to 
which,  he  began  pelting  me  over  my  face  &  eyes  in 
such  a  voilent  manner  that  I  bellowed  aloud — I  may 
as  well  say,  that  the  Boy  was  an  Idiot — deaf  and  dumb. 

A  Blank  in  my  reccollections  here  follows, — I  have 
no  distinct  remembrance  of  any  special  interviening 
occurances  between  this  time  and  the  family  confusion 
in  packing  up  to  go  to  America. 

ReccoUect  something  about  packing  up,  arrived  in 
the  City  of  London,  the  being  carried  up  by  my  Father 
to  the  top  of  a  long  flight  of  winding  Stairs  in  S*  Paul 
Church  to  the  Wispering  Gallery  in  the  Dome  of  the 
Tower,  the  looking  out  of  the  Grated  Windows  500" 
hight  the  smallness  of  objects  in  the  Streets  &  River 
below, — Thames  filled  with  shipping.  Bee-hive  Sciene, 
the  embarkation  for  America  on  Board  Ship  Criterion, 
Capt°  Evary, — a  week  after  encountering  a  terrible 
Storm, — Sea  sickness,  the  waves  breaking  over  the  ves- 
sel, sweeping  me  from  the  companion-way  to  the  Lard- 
board  side  of  the  Ship,  loosing  my  new  London  bought 
Hat,  and  just  escaping  a  watery  grave.    Arriving  at 


22  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

the  Banks  of  N.  Foundland,  sailors  catching  codfish, 
porpuses  playing  round  the  Ship,  Sea  Fowls,  Arival 
after  70  days  passage — how  things  looked  on  our  ap- 
proaching Land,  our  being  met  and  greeted  by  the 
English  Residents  in  the  City  of  New  York  being  fruit 
season,  how  abundantly  we  were  supplied  by  them — 
how  readly  they  provided  us  with  Rooms  especialy 
with  an  English  family  by  the  name  of  "  Withington  " 
a  large  Brewer  in  the  upper  part  of  the  eastern  bounds 
of  the  City.  Remaining  in  N'York  through  the  winter 
moving  up  to  Po'keepsie  in  the  Spring  of 

1796 

Into  a  Brick  house  now  in  ruins  (of  which  I  have  an 
Oil-painting  view  off)  opposite  the  late  William  Wor- 
reP  residence  on  the  Dutchess  C°  Turnpike. 

How  during  the  past  winter  while  the  family  re- 
mained in  the  City  N  Y,  Father  and  Uncle  Thomas, 
the  latter  a  Batchellor  coming  with  us  from  England 
took  up  a  line  of  march  for  the  then  called  JVest,  and 
after  several  days  travel  zig-zagging  right  and  left 
through  the  Valley  of  the  Hudson  and  Mohawk  Coun- 
try, up  as  far  as  Utica,  but  seeing  nothing  to  fill  their 
idea'  of  farmland  or  culture  returned  to  the  City  dis- 
sattisfy^  with  the  Country  and  was  about  to  re-embark 
to  their  native  homes,  but  meeting  with  some  English 
family  going  up  the  River  to  Po'keepsie  by  the  name 
of  "  Young  "  and  New  House  "  they  were  persuaded 
to  wait,  and  finaly  came  with  them,  and  ultimately  pur- 
chased a  farm  lying  on  "  Wappingers  Creek "  now 
Manchester — particuliar  following  see  a  paper  on  file 
"  Vassar^    Family    Record "    which    embraces    many 


Matthew  Vassar  23 

sketches  of  the  Family,  and  self.  Some  relic'  of  In- 
dian life  could  be  still  seen  on  or  about  Po-keep-sing — 
Indian  relics  dug  up  on  Main  &  Vassar  Streets. 

1798 

The  fall  of  this  year  attacked  with  Typhus  fever 
and  narrowly  escaped  death.  The  same  Fall  Uncle 
Thomas  returned  to  England  to  purchase  cerels  & 
some  small  stock  for  the  farm.  Remmember  tending 
the  Cows  with  Sister  Maria  on  the  Wappingers  Creek, 
being  no  fences  to  prevent  them  crossing  over  to  our 
Neighbours — how  we  amused  ourselves,  Cutting  Wil- 
lows, making  whistles  of  the  rind  &  fishing  with  pin- 
hooks  in  the  limped  flowing  stream — how  we  waided 
need  deep  on  its  sloping  banks  how  a  huge  water-snake 
chased  us, — how  in  fishing  we  caught  not  a  tartar  but 
an  immense  snapping  Turtle,  how  we  cut  off  his  head 
to  get  the  hook  out  of  his  mouth,  throwing  the  body 
into  the  Stream,  and  ten  days  after  saw  the  creature 
crawling  about  headless  at  the  bottom  of  the  cristal 
waters. 

How  I  was  again  taken  sick  with  another  attack  of 
typhus  fever,  and  after  7  days  given  up  as  hopeless, 
when  old  Doct  Deleverge  attended  me  &  soon  there- 
after rallied  and  walking  out  with  rude  made  crutches 
to  a  Hickory  Tree  near  the  house  to  gather  nutts,  under 
which  was  strewed  black  broken  &  crooked  limbs,  & 
one  appearing  to  my  dim  vision  more  smooth  &  taper- 
ing I  reached  to  pick  it  up, — when,  lo,  on  touching  it 
flew  from  me, — It  was  a  montrous  Black — Snake — Un- 
like the  Brazen  Serpent — It  frightened,  but  did  not 
heal,  I  lingered  many  days- 


24  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Following  this  incident,  I  remember  ascending  the 
summit  of  a  Hill  lying  west  of  the  Homestead  with  my 
Sister  Jemmima  &  child — like  climing  up  on  the  top 
of  a  tree  to  look  at  the  Po',  Church  Steeples  (The  in- 
tervening space  lies  the  now  College  grounds,  this  plot 
of  flat  level  land  was  well  known  as  the  Dutchess 
County  Club  Horse-Race-Course,  associated  by  a  Char- 
ter with  the  Long  Island  Club  Horse  Race  Society  for 
the  Promotion  of  the  Breed  of  Horses.  I  remember 
attending  one  of  these  former  races  with  a  Gentleman 
acquaintence  by  the  name  of  "  Brush  "  who  came  with 
his  Lady  to  my  house,  but  as  the  amusement  bro*  to- 
gether many  Gamblers  and  Black-Legs  it  was  not  re- 
garded verry  Respectible,  so  I  hired  a  close  Carrage 
and  went  out  with  them  to  avoid  being  seen  by  as  few 
as  possible.) 

Resuming  my  story  from  other  last  page  looking  at 
Po'keepsie  Steeples  I  was  going  with  Mother  to  Town 
on  a  pleasent  Satturday  with  waggon  &  horses  to  Mar- 
ket Butter,  Eggs,  and  a  Barrel  of  home-brew*^  Beer, 
when  all  of  a  sudden  by  the  carelessness  of  the  Driver 
was  upset  landing  Mother  and  waggon  contents  in  the 
ditch,  no  bones  being  Broken,  gathered  up  the  frag- 
ments adjusted  Matters  and  pushed  on  to  Po' — ^made 
our  quarters  at  a  family  of  "  Bosworth^ "  English 
Bakers  who  furnished  us  with  the  first  White  Wheat 
Bread  I  ever  ate  in  America — How  I  spread  on  the 
butter  and  covered  it  swimmingly  with  Goose  Gravy 
drippings  and  how  Father  cuffed  my  ears  for  my  ex- 
travigence. — How  the  family  removed  to  Po',  occupy- 
ing the  so  call'^  "  Duffee-House  "  corner  of  Washing- 
ton   and    Lafayette    St.,    now    occupied    by    Hyram 


Matthew  Vassar  25 

Haight.  In  the  Fall  of  this  year  mov'^  in  what  was 
call**  the  "  Ellison  House "  now  and  old  delapa- 
dated  Building  standing  in  the  Rear  of  *'  Gage's 
Markett " 

The  following  Summer  (1801)  our  family  moved 
into  the  New  Brewery,  apartments  having  been  finished 
off  for  Dwelling-house  during  the  erection  of  my  pres- 
ent Residence.  It  was  during  our  living  in  part  of  the 
Brewery  I  came  near  loosing  my  life  by  the  fumes  of 
charcoal  thro'  the  careless  of  a  Man,  who  roommate 
with  me  who  came  home  late  at  Night  &  Building  & 
fire  on  the  hearth  with  Charcoal 

Being  insensible  did  not  rise  for  Breakfast  &  when 
call"^  made  no  answer  alarm  being  given  to  the  family 
I  was  soon  relieved  being  taken  into  fresh  air — but 
this  was  attended  by  spasms  &  Vominting — The  Man, 
my  room  Mate  was  Rob*  Ray  whom  a  few  Months 
after  Broke  his  Neck  by  falling  from  the  Hay  loft, 
being  early  in  the  Evening  &  not  coming  to  Supper  my 
Mother  sent  me  to  the  Barn  for  him  I  call^  again  & 
again  but  he  made  no  answer,  when  on  entering  the 
Barn  found  him  lying  on  the  Barn  floor  with  his  face 
upward  &  with  the  light  of  the  Moon  shining  upon  his 
face  peceived  it  bloody  I  toutch^  him  &  found  him  cold 
and  dead. 

It  was  during  this  period  of  my  boyhood  I  had  many 
wandering  thoughts — Had  a  fancy  for  Shows,  comical 
exhibitions,  fitted  up  in  the  Garret  of  the  house  a  rude 
Theatre,  had  quite  a  Corps  Children  actors.  This 
fancy  took  my  mind  by  seeing  a  performance  in  the 
Villge 

I  was  also  found  of  painting,  bo*  me  a  small  Box  of 
water   Colours  painted  rude   Christmas  pieces  filled 


26  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

them  with  up  with  Doggery  Rhimes  and  went  in  the 
Country  to  sell  them,  Remember  selling  one  to  old 
Richard  Davis  Lower  Landing  who  gave  me  a  Crown 
Spanish  Piece  for  it. 

1804 

I  think  it  was  this  year  I  was  attack"*  with  another 
Sickness  of  Typhus  Fever  lasting  8  days,  on  the  night 
of  the  9*''  it  Broke,  uncontious  however  for  several 
days  remember  my  feelings  at  that  moment,  I  had  been 
dreaming  of  lying  at  a  Copious  Spring  of  Water,  were 
many  a  time  I  had  slacked  my  thirst  while  gathering 
huckle-berries  &  gunning  in  the  deep  ravine  as  you 
ascend  the  public  Road  from  old  Pells  Landing  &  while 
I  say  this  in  my  dream  was  slaking  my  burning  thirst 
I  awoke  &  try  to  rise  but  my  watchers  Harry  Cook  & 
Russell,  came  to  my  bed-side,  and  ask^  me  what  I 
wanted,  I  reply**  to  get  up — (but  could  not  stir)  and  go 
home  &c. 

Reccollect  going  to  Night  School  after  my  recvery 
to  old  Gabriel  Ellison,  had  a  fracas  with  him,  because 
he  struck  me  over  the  head  with  a  round  heavy  Ruler, 
flooring  me,  how  I  got  up  and  and  sent  an  Ink  Stand 
at  his  Yellow  Breeches,  besmeering  his  White  Cotton 
Stockings  to  a  pepper  and  Salt  colour. — Left  School  un- 
der L.  B.  Van  Kleeks  Great  Coat  when  School  was  dis- 
missed at  Noon.  Quite  a  Rumpus  was  made  by  this 
event,  complaints  prefered  to  the  family,  how  Father 
insisted  my  returning  to  School,  how  Mother  inter- 
ceeded  for  me  and  finaly  sent  me  to  John  Harbottle' 
Night  School  in  Union  St.  To  sum  it  all  up  between 
my  own  temper,  and  Fathers  severity  &  indifference  to 


Matthew  Vassar  27 

giving  me  an  Education  I  got  none — Scarcely  to  read 
&  write. 

1806,  7,   8 

In  the  Spring  I  think  of  one  of  these  years  I  do  not 
distinctly  reccollect  which  I  left  home  to  seek  my  For- 
tune but  not  wither,  I  had  just  heard  from  Mother, 
that  Father  was  about  Apprenticing  me  to  the  trade  of 
a  Tanner  &  Courier  John  Garry  Corner  Washington 
&  Main  S^  on  the  Morning  the  articles  were  to  signed, 
I  told  mother  I  would  never  be  bound  to  such  a  trade, 
it  was  disgusting  to  me  &  would  run  away  from  home 
to  avoid  the  contracts — I  did  so,  and  Started  privately 
on  my  Journey  and  on  Monday  May  S**"  set  off  to  seek 
my  fortune  with  6/  in  my  pockett,  two  corse  East  India 
Muslin  Shirts,  a  pair  of  woolen  Socks,  Scow  Skin 
Shoes,  all  tied  up  in  a  Cotton  Bandana  Handkerchief. 
This  exit  I  say  was  unknown  to  Father,  but  my  Mother 
being  privy  to  it  &  seeing  my  determination  fur"^  and 
rather  aided  the  plan,  and  on  the  Morning  above 
stated  accompanied  me  on  foot  9  Miles  on  my  Journey 
to  Hamburgh  Ferry — here  we  parted  and  never  shall 
I  forget  that  Memmoral  day,  both  wept*^  tears  abun- 
dantly after  crossing  the  River  I  wandered  southardly, 
and  overtaken  an  Aged  Man  with  one  horse  waggon, 
asked  him  for  a  ride,  he  look^  cross  and  surley  me  at 
first  and  ask^  me  where  I  was  going,  my  answer  was 
like  poor  Paddie's  asking  the  like  fav"^  from  a  Country 
Man — ^who  enquired  of  Pat  were  he  was  going  reply 
Oh  Sir,  IT  ITS  QUITE  IMMETERIAL.  Suffice  to  say  he 
told  me  jump  in  his  waggon,  when  a  dialouge  set  in, 
old  Man  at  first  insinuated  that  I  was  a  run-away- 


28  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Apprence  this  stuck  close  to  the  rib.  I  tho*  he  had 
heard  of  my  Conduct,  I  began  to  feel  and  look  guilty, 
just  at  this  time  the  Old  Gentleman  (for  I  must  now 
call  him  so)  turned  the  head  of  his  Nag  to  the  left  hand 
directly  &  close  by  to  a  Large  I  may  say  immense  Tree, 
Commonly  know  as  the  Balm  of  Gilliard  Tree  from 
whence  the  name  of  the  Small  Village,  Balm-town. 

Soon  however  turning  from  the  Main  Road  to  the 
left  we  arrived  at  a  plain  Country  house,  halting  at 
the  door,  out  came  an  Elderly  Woman  greeting  his  re- 
turn in  Safety  (for  it  seems  he  had  been  absent  some 
days)  which  afterwards  proved  to  be  his  Wife. — Dis- 
mounting and  putting  our  Nag  in  the  Stable  and  com- 
ing back  to  the  house  found  supper  ready  in  waiting, 
but  thier  was  no  lost  time  in  consuming  my  part  of  it, 
as  I  was  verry  hungry  &  tired — this  service  over  the 
Old  Gentleman  revealed  to  me  his  name,  business  &c — 
He  was  an  Englishman  by  the  name  of  "  Butterworth  " 
had  a  Son  a  Merchant  in  Balm-town  wholesale  &  re- 
tail, In  the  following  Morning  took  me  to  see  his  son 
at  his  Store  only  a  few  Roods  from  the  House 

How  they  went  to  the  farther  end  of  the  Store  & 
talk^  to-gether,  and  after  some  half  hour  calF  me  to 
them,  and  ask*^  me  wether  I  would  like  to  live  with  them 
(by  the  by  they  both  New  my  Father)  and  by  this  time 
both  of  them  knew  that  I  had  left  home  unbeknown  to 
him. 

How  they  pointed  out  my  work  If  I  did  Stay,  viz, 
to  Measure  Wood  Weight  Iron,  measure  Salt,  &c  in 
fact  do  all  kinds  of  drudging  even  to  taking  care  of  the 
Old  Gentleman^  horse.  All  of  which  I  consented  and 
found  a  home  for  3  Years,  Begining  with  Labour  for 
a  living  and  ending  on  a  Sallary  of  $300  pr  annum. 


Matthew  Vassar  29 

But  having  been  offered  better  Pay  by  a  M"^  Smith  in 
the  Neighbourhood  I  left  them  and  in  the  interval  made 
my  first  visit  home  in  Company  with  a  friend  named 
"  Williams  ".—We  left  "  Balmtown  "  on  a  Saturday 
Evening  about  sunset  a  bright  Moonlight  night  for 
Po'keepsie  &  after  walking  some  14  Miles  found  our- 
selves opposite  LewisBurgh,  but  feeling  exceedingly 
tired  &  sleepy  fell  down  on  the  road  it  was  not  then 
day  Light,  but  could  walk  no  further  the  Roads  being 
awfully  Bad,  so  we  ask*^  for  Lodgings  at  a  Country 
Tavern,  but  being  nearly  Mr^  the  Old  Land  Lord  took 
us  to  be  Thieves  or  house-Breakers.  It  was  during  my 
Stay  with  "  Smith  &  Son  "  (for  went  there  on  my  re- 
turn from  Po  visit)  that  the  Great  "  Eclipse  "  of  the 
Sun  occured  I  think  in  the  Year  1 806,  in  June  of  this 
year,  being  on  a  Grand  Military  Parade  occasion  while 
Gen^  Morgan  Lewis  was  Governor — I  remember  that 
a  vast  number  of  people  men  &  women  where  in  the 
Store  trading  on  that  day  &  but  few  knew  any  thing 
about  the  "  Eclipse  "  consequently  were  terribly  fright- 
ened, being  mostly  off  the  Methodist  persuasion  and 
knowing  nothing  of  the  cause  they  began  to  pray,  think- 
ing the  world  was  coming  to  an  end,  especialy  at  the 
height  of  the  Eclipse  when  almost  total  darkness  &  the 
fowls  going  to  Roost,  the  Sight  &  its  reflections  were 
bewildering  to  them  but  when  it  was  past  &  over,  they 
began  to  thank  God,  and  Sing  phalams.-- 


1808 

My  return  to  Po'keepsie  after  an  absence  of  5  to  6 
years  by  the  request  of  my  Father  who  wanted  me  to 


30  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

take  charge  of  his  Books  &  attend  to  Collections  of 
Ale*  and  Beer*  Moneys  which  at  that  time  was  quite 
considerable  having  all  or  most  part  of  the  River- 
towns-trade,  from  NewBurgh  to  Hudson, — How  we 
Sold  Chancellor  Livington  Red  Hook  Fall  &  Spring 
large  Quantity  of  Ale  &  deliv*^  it  by  Sloops,  my  enter- 
tainment at  "  Livingston  "  by  his  English  Steward,  his 
kindness  &c — My  going  to  NewBurgh  to  collect  Ale 
Moneys — Hayman^  Hotel,  a  Southern  wealthy  Planter 
as  a  guest  of  the  house.  Married  to  a  Young  Miss  of 
some  15  years,  a  Matrimonial  affair  got  up  by  her 
Mother,  a  Widdow,  and  her  only  Child,  how  the  girl 
fooled  the  old  Man,  would  get  him  early  to  Bed  in 
order  to  have  a  good  time  (as  she  said)  with  the 
Young  Border,  quite  a  flirt. — How  I  used  to  go  to 
NYork  in  Packet  Sloops,  The  Young  Folks  planning 
together  in  Winter  to  join  each  other  in  their  Spring 
visit  voyages.  What  sports  we  had  in  rambling  over 
the  Shores  when  becalmed,  going  ashore  at  Van-Plank- 
Point  getting  Peaches  in  the  Fall,  being  as  plenty  as 
apples  &  nothing  to  pay — Piggs  where  then  the  best 
Customers. — 

How  I  dreamed  of  seeing  a  Ghostly  Apparition — In 
this  wise,  I  dreampt  that  a  party  of  young  folks  were 
gayley  enjoying  by  Feasting  &c  &c  at  my  house  on  an 
Evening  or  rather  my  Fathers  House  where  I  now  live, 
and  in  the  height  of  our  Sports  a  rapt  was  at  the  par- 
lour door,  opening  from  the  Hall,  when  I  called  out 
in  custom  "  Walk  In  ".  The  door  opened  slowly  when 
an  object  appeared  in  the  costume  of  a  decriped  old 
beggar-woman  walking  with  a  crutch,  head  &  faced 
covered  in  part  with  a  long  Black  vail. — ^AU  was  si- 
lence I  rose  and  approached  towards  her  "  and  said  to 


Matthew  Vassar  31 

her  what  do  you  want  old  Woman  " — She  points  out 
her  long  and  attenuated  arm,  and  with  sarcastic  look, 
and  extended  &  quivering  forefinger  say^  it  is  you  that 
I  want".  I  made  a  motion  to  take  her  by  the  arm  to 
show  her  the  outer-door,  when  she  suddenly  disap- 
peared in  vapour  leaving  a  death  Skeliton  behind — I 
then  awoke,  not  a  little  frightened  by  my  courious 
Dream, — ^This  is  however  but  a  faint  discription — It 
followed  me  many  Years.  I  must  leave  the  Morale 
of  it — It  had  its  point. 

I  remember  on  a  dismall  dark  Night  of  being  in 
company  with  several  of  my  playmates  in  the  old  Brew- 
ery Malt  Kiln  room  warming  ourselves  by  the  Kiln 
Fires  and  the  elder  Boys  telling  frightfuU  Ghosts- 
Storeys,  when  some  Boy  said  that  nothing  ever  fright- 
ened him,  a  Bet  was  made  that  none  of  the  Company 
dare  go  the  then  just  opened  Grave  Yard  by  cutting 
&  opening  "  Vassar  "  S*  and  get  a  relic  from  the  crum- 
bling graves  exposed.  Brother  "  Guy  "  took  the  Bet 
and  off  he  went.  Bringing  back  a  Schull  with  partly 
covered  hair. 

The  Storey  of  a  headless  man — Runs  in  this  wise, 
On  a  public  General  Fall  Muster  day  held  on  the  old 
Commons  known  as  the  **  French "  Property,  now 
Academy  &c  Streets,  I  tarried  late,  nevertheless  had 
to  get  a  family  Cow  from  the  Lot  now  occupy*^  by 
"  Mr.  Haggerty "  Flourist. — The  adjoining  land 
around  was  a  sort  of  Swamp  &  underbrush — ^A  path 
leads  through  from  this  cleard  pasture  lot  to  Wash- 
ington S* — a  deep  Ravine  laid  on  the  South  Side  of  the 
path,  the  side  &  bottom  of  the  Ravine  was  a  wilder- 
ness of  Bryers,  Elder  Bushes,  infested  with  Snakes 
toads  &  other  vermin  and  on  the  opposite  side  near 


32  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Washington  Street  was  an  old  delapidated  Tan-Yard 
Currying  Shop  &c. — Returning  with  my  Cow  to  Pas- 
ture after  being  Milk*^  and  passing  the  latter,  the  full 
Moon  just  rising,  the  light  shone  on  an  object  in  the 
Curring-Yard  resimbling  an  object  like  a  Man  with 
his  head  cutt  off  and  Blood  trinkling  down  over  his 
Shoulders.  The  Cow  saw  the  object  first  and  sud- 
denly Boulted  down  the  embankment  on  the  left  into 
the  slimy  &  entangling  ravine,  when  I  looked  to  the 
right  and  saw  the  above  object — Hair  Standing  on  end 
at  the  Sudden  fright  I  stood  aghast,  but  after  a  Mo- 
ment pause  made  rapidly  down  the  path  way  to  the 
Cleared  pasture  field  leaving  my  Cow  to  get  out  of 
the  Mire  as  well  as  she  could. — Not  daring  to  return 
to  the  house  (now  the  old  back  Building  rear  "  Sage  " 
Markett)  I  creped  the  back  way  fritened  almost  out 
of  my  wits,  fainting  telling  my  Storey  to  my  Elder 
Brother  Guy  &  Sisters — the  former  went  into  the 
Street,  and  mustering  a  Number  of  Boys  acquainting 
them  of  what  I  had  seen,  we  all  arm'^  ourselves  with 
weapons  Clubs  &c  and  marched  down  to  the  Ghostly 
Spot,  and  going  faintly  &  fearfully  up  to  it  to  attack 
it  found  it  a  huge  Ox-hide  hung  on  a  post  with  horns 
on  and  the  inside  outwards. — ^This  accorded  with  the 
common  report,  that  some  years  previous,  a  Man 
throat  was  cut  in  this  Shop. — 

In  the  Spring  of  this  year  returned  home  from  5 
years  absence  at  Newburgh,  employ*^  myself  principaly 
about  my  Fathers  buisness — keeping  his  accounts  mak- 
ing his  collections  &c  &c. — ^The  Spring  following  while 
my  Father  was  absent  in  New  York  May  10*^  181 1 
his  Brewery  took  fire  &  hurt  down  and  having  no  In- 
surance  thereon   this   Calamity   ruined   him,    besides 


Matthew  Vassar  33 

which  the  loss  was  attended  by  the  death  of  my  Brother 
the  Elder  John  Guy  Vassar,  Father  of  my  Nephew 
J".  G.  Vassar  the  great  Travellor  now  in  Europe, 
whom  the  day  after  the  fire  lost  his  life  by  descending 
into  a  vat  charged  with  Carbonic  Acid  Gass.  In  the 
following  summer  18 12  began  the  world, — that  is 
the  buisness  world  for  myself  by  getting  married  and 
begining  house-keeping,  Renting  part  of  a  tenement 
at  $40  p"  year,  and  was  severely  rebuked  by  my  Father 
for  my  extravagence — $25  p'  year  was  as  much  as  he 
tho*  I  ought  pay — but  I  will  not  pursue  my  narative 
down  any  further,  as  most  part  of  my  life  from  this 
time  till  some  18  years  ago  was  filled  up  with  the  ordi- 
nary buisness  relations  with  its  varous  phases,  ups  and 
downs.  It  was  not  until  about  1845  I  visited  Europe 
&  while  in  London  visited  the  famous  "  Guy  "  Hospi- 
tall,  the  founder  of  which  a  family  relative  "  John 
Guy  "  a  Nephew  to  John  Guy  Vassar  had  the  honor 
of  being  named  after. — Seeing  this  Institution  first  sug- 
gested the  idea  of  devoting  a  portion  of  my  Estate  to 
some  Charitable  purpose,  and  about  this  period  took 
quite  an  interest  in  a  Niece  of  mine  Lydia  Booth  who 
was  then  engaged  in  a  small  way  in  the  tuition  of  Chil- 
dren resulting  in  after  years  in  the  opening  of  a  female 
Seminary  in  Po'keepsie,  being  the  first  of  kind  except- 
ing one  other  M'^^  Conger  in  the  Village.  The  force 
of  circumstances  brought  me  occasionaly  in  buisness 
entercourse  with  my  Niece,  which  will  account  for  the 
early  direction  of  my  mind  for  the  enlarged  Education 
of  Women  and  the  subsequent  drift  of  enquiries  in  my 
conversation  &  correspondence  with  gentlemen  Edu- 
cators in  this  Country  and  a  few  In  Europe,  which  by 
reference  to  letters  on  file  will  more  fully  appear.  Hav- 


34 


Autobiography  and  Letters 


ing  a  few  years  previous  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the 
secular  or  temporal  affairs  of  the  Baptist  Church  as 
one  of  the  B*^  Trustees  &  being  an  early  advocate  of 
erecting  a  new  house  of  Worship  I  took  an  active  part 
in  raising  by  subscrition  the  necessary  funds  procuring 
Architecural  plans  &c,  but  the  enterprise  resulted  in 
entailment  of  a  debt  (against  the  Society)  by  which  I 
afterwards  cancelled  of  some  $25000  to  $30,000  and 
subsequently  gave  to  the  Society  by  legal  conveyance  of 
the  whole  property  by  Deed  of  the  same,  since  follow^ 
from  that  date  to  the  present  time  with  a  donation  of 
3  to  $400  p  Year. — 


THE  VASSAR  BREWERY 


PAGES    FROM    THE    DIARIES 

Tuesday  February  25,  1862 
Meeting  Trustees  of 
V.  Female  College  at 
Gregory  House 
After  Meeting  the  Members  came  to  my  home  and 
examined  Elliotts  Picture  I  then  made  them  a  present 
each  of  John  G.  Vassar  20  Years  around  the  World. — 
See  List  on  file  in  Letters 

Paid  Express  Charges  on  30  Vassar  Travels  around 
the  World  $.75 

Monday  March  24,  1862. 
Meeting  of  the  Ex.  Committee  this  morning  J.  Ren- 
wick  Jr  Present 

Debates  on  Roofing  College  this  Season 
"         "     Building  Office  in  Main  Street 
"     Renwick  "  to  make  "  Plan  do 
In  Session  4  hours,  much  talk 

Prof  Mann  Associate  Ed^  of  Com.  Advertiser  N 
York  called  and  took  Notes  from  my  Biography  and 
Prof  H.  Barnard  is  to  publish  a  short  synopsis  about 
College,  and  my  history  etc. 

River  opened  to-day 

Wednesday  March  26,  1862 
Likenesses 
Gave  Miss  Storud.  Miss  Sarah  Varick  each  one  Like- 
ness— 

35 


36  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Thursday  April  3'*  1862 

Mess''  Prof  Jewett  &  Brackett  left  for  N.  Y.  to  sail 
on  Satturday  for  Europe  p'  Steamer  Edenburgh  ac- 
companied them  to  RR  Depot  and  took  leave  of  them — 

W™.  Smith  called  at  my  office  this  Morning — I  once 
lived  with  his  Father  Daniel  Smith  at  Balm  Town 
some  50  Years  ago — It  is  now  about  40  years  since 
we  last  saw  each  other. 

Called  to  see  Sister  Maria  this  morning. 

Monday  April  14  1862 

Ex.  Committee  met  today.  Renwick  was  up  with 
drafts  of  Lettering  for  Tablets — went  out  to  Grounds 
with  Harloe — Amanda  Mess'  Jewett  Rev"^  Ch.  Ray- 
mond and  Miss  Jewett  Rode  out  College  Grounds  and 
Springside  with  my  Carriage  this  morning. 

Wrote  Prof  Jewett  and  Brackett  p'  Mail  this  after- 
noon. 

Tuesday  May  6,  1862 

Charity  Gave  Wm.  H.  Vanderpool 
I  Overcoat  almost  new — $10.00 
I   Woolen  Vest   i   p'.   Pants  casimere 
almost  new — $7.00 

Friday  June  13,  1862 

Renwick  up  to-day.  Rode  to  Ground^  went  on  top 
3  Teir  Beams  with  him  Dubois  Harloe — &c  &c 

New  Potatoes  and  Chery  Pies 
from  Springside — Cucumbers  3d  Time  this  Season — 

Maria  Booth  called  at  House  this  morning,  first 
time  in  12  mos. 


Matthew  Vassar  37 

Wednesday  July  3,  1862 

Rode  to  College  with  Wife  and  Miss  Mattstur  this 
Morning. 

Satturday  August  2^  1862 

M"  Morgan  (Late  Valentine)  calP  this  afternoon 
to  see  Catherine.  Miss  Matthews  was  washing  her, 
and  asked  her  to  wait  10  or  20  Minutes,  she  said  she 
could  not  as  her  husband  was  waiting  at  the  Door  in 
his  Carrage,  asked  to  call  again  but  could  not  was 
going  home  on  Monday — had  a  child  in  waggon  with 
them,  M"  M.  look  ill-natured  and  would  not  wait  for 
Catherine  to  be  dressed — . 

Grant  her  husband. 

Satturday  August  23,  1862 

Sad  Accident  at  College  this  A  M.  2  Men  fell  with 
scaffold  one  Killed  the  other  sadly  injured — 

Gave  Harloe  $5.  to  aid  in  expenses  of  Funeral  this 
P.  M. — $5.00 

A  Solemn  Procession 

Samuel  McCollery — Killed 

John  Porter  fataly  injured — Cottery  was  from  Staten 
Island    single  Young  Man — 

JOTTINGS   AT   THE   END   OF   THE    FIRST 
VOLUME   OF  THE   DIARY. 

May  the  Evenings  diversion  bear  the  Mornings  re- 
flection. 

May  Poverty  always  be  a  days  March  behind  us. 
In  ascending  the  Hill  of  Prosperity  may  we  never 
meet  a  friend 


38  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Sore  Throat  Fine  salt,  drop  on  the  swollen  parts — 
cures  instantly 

Depthera — Gurgle  warm  water  &  salt  will  cure 
after  a  few  trials. 

We  must  be  like  Zaccheus  if  we  would  see  Christ  we 
must  climb  up  If  we  would  follow  him,  we  must  come 
down. 

If  you  wanted  to  be  suited  go  to  a  Taylor.  If  you 
want  to  be  non-suited  go  to  a  Lawyer. 

Tuesday  Oct  13,  1863 

Wrote  E.  E.  Hunley  this  A.  M.  Rode  to  College 
with  D'.  Babcock  had  much  talk  about  his  future  em- 
ployment did  not  complain  or  talk  hard  about  Jewett 
but  was  quite  anxious  to  have  some  place  in  College — 
and  tho*  he  could  find  a  travelling  Agentcy  of  some 
other  sort,  and  as  a  cover  for  a  college  Profesship. 
"  Vir "  To  solicit  donation  for  Scholarship^  Endow- 
ments, and  collect  many  very  valuable  books  as  gifts 
from  his  numerous  friends  and  acquantances — In  this 
occupation  he  would  begin  his  labours  next  Spring — 
All  this  however  would  be  done  in  a  way  without  ap- 
pearing as  the  employ'^  or  paid  Agent  of  the  College. 
All  of  which  I  told  him  I  would  reflect  upon  and  Re- 
port. &c 

CalP  on  Sister  Maria  this  P.  M.  Matthew  hired 
carriage  and  took  out  to  College  Margaret  Hewitt, 
Mrs.  Chancy  Price  and  Mrs.  Holden — > 

Carolyn  Harbottle  and  2  Ladies  calP  this  P  M  to 
see  Portraits  &c.  M'^*  Nemo  calP  and  I  bot  her  Book 
— "  Womans  Appology  " 

Paid —  $1.00 

Charity  $1.00 


Matthew  Vassar  39 

Tuesday  November  3*^,  1863 
Election  this  day — Voted  Republican  tickitt 

Satturday  Nov  7,  1863 

Rode  to  College  with  Jewett  Amanda  &  Prof. 
Wood  from  Brooklyn,  a  man  of  great  experience  in 
Botany  and  suggested  some  excellent  ideas  about  the 
grounds  to  be  appriated  for  a  Botanical  Garden  East 
of  College  and  across  in  part  of  the  Ravine  and  Creek. 

Satturday  Nov.  21  1863 

Very  Rainy  Day 

My  New  Garments  came  back  from  Taylors  this 
P  M.     Coat  Pants  &  Vest. 

Lossing  call*^  today  had  long  talk  &c 

Tuesday  Nov  23^  1863 

A  very  heavy  Stormy-day — 

A  meeting  or  Celebration  of  Eastman  SchoUars  800 
was  to  come  off  today  but  the  rain  prevented 

Large  Gathering  at  Pine  Hall  to  Night  and  refresh- 
ments given  to  Eastman  pupils  &  public 

Tip  taken  quick  sick  last  night  with  Applexy  wrote 
his  Euolgy,  expecting  he  will  die  before  morning. 

Amanda  '  gone  to  the  Hall  to  hear  lecturer  of  Bungy 
N  Y  in  behalf  of  Eastman  College 

Eastman  College  800  serenaded  my  house  to  Night. 

Monday.  Nov'  Nov  30,  1863 

Gave  poor  Dog  Tip  a  dose  of  Morphine  shall  Know 
the  results  in  Morning  &c 

*  Amanda  Jermond,  Mr.  Vassar's  house-keeper. 


40  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Tuesday  Ded".  i,  1863 

Poor  Dog.  Tip  Died  this  morning  He  was  drowned 
in  the  Brewery  Cistern  of  the  old  Malt  house  and 
Buried  by  Joseph  Jarocks  asside  of  Dog — Don  in  his 
Master  garden  I  could  not  see  the  sight  and  there- 
fore went  with  Edward  Vassar  &  Mr.  Hunter  to 
clean  up  Plots  of  Baptist  Burial  Grounds.  Called  on 
"  Swan  "  this  P.  M.  and  gave  him  Obituary  of  Dog. 
Tip  to  have  publish** — Fanny  was  in  the  office  I  walk** 
home  with  her. 

Tuesday  Dec.  15,  1863 

Doct.  Babcock  call^  at  my  office  this  P.  M.  when  he 
again  opened  the  subject  of  "  Appointments  "  in  the 
College  and  observ*^  that  he  had  been  considering 
over  the  matter  of  the  Lybrairian  "  and  Gen^  Agent 
for  the  collection  &  buying  of  Books  and  he  tho* 
he  could  fill  that  plan  to  sattisfaction  and  would 
accept  the  appointment  as  Lybrian  for  one  half  the 
sallaries  we  paid  our  Professors — To  all  of  which  being 
a  new  Suggestion  I  said  I  would  reflect  upon  and  when 
the  proper  time  came  would  given  him  an  answer.  He 
remarked  that  he  tho*  probibly  the  First  B  Church 
would  give  him  a  call  to  the  Pastorship. 

Satturday  January  30,  1864 

My  dear  Wife  Catharine  Died  this  day  one  year 
ago  at  1/4  of  10  O.  K.  P.  M. 

Friday  Feb.  12,  1864. 

Finished  writing  My  Address  to  Trustees  for  the 
Meeting  on  the  23**  inst — this  morning. 


Matthew  Vassar  41 

Thursday  March  3,  1864 

Benson  J.  Losslng  call**  this  morning  opened  my 
heart  to  him  on  all  my  trouble  with  "  Jewett ".  Read 
his  Letters  to  me,  mine  to  him,  also  mine  to  Doct. 
Hague  Boston,  and  Jewett^  Letter  found  on  Swan' 
Desk,  which  see  on  file — made  him  my  Confidential 
friend. 

He  Lossing  promised  it  should  remain  Sacred. 

Thursday  March  17,  1864 

Prof  Jewett  calP  this  morning  and  deliv^  me  a  let- 
ter explaining  and  appoligising  for  his  course  of  con- 
duct— which  see  on  file 

Privately  in  my  office. 

Monday  April  4,  1864 

Settled  all  Traveling  Expenses  with  "  Swan "  in 
Jewetf  matter  by  Ex  Com.  this  day  say  about  $130 
and  charg*^  to  College. 

Tuesday  April  19,  1864 

"Swan"  returned  from  N.  Y.  this  8  o'ck  P.  M 
Stoped  at  moment  to  tell  me  that  "  Sheldon  "  told 
him  &  also  "  Bishop  "  that  "  Jewett "  had  tendered 
his  Resignation 

Friday  April  29,  1864. 

My  Birth-Day 

Meeting  of  the  College  Board  of  Trustees  this 
morning  on  the  Subject  of  Jewetf  Resignation  &c 
&c  &c 

Trustees  Rode  out  to  College  afterward,  see  min- 
utes. 


42  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Wednesday  May  4,  1864 

Whent  to  N.  York  this  morning  with  Buckingham 
and  Matthew  on  College  Buisiness  to  see  Doc*  Ray- 
mond on  accepting  and  terms  of  Presentdency  to  the 
College. 

Satturday  May  7,  1864 

Rode  to  College  with  Prof  Raymond  Matthew, 
Swan  and  Buckingham — all  except  Swan  dined  with 
us  Buckingham,  Swan,  Raymond  took  Tea  the  latter 
left  for  N  Y  at  7  P  M. 

Miss  Nemo  Remarks 

"  It  is  in  vain  to  Educate  Womans  power  of  thought 
and  then  limit  the  opperation  " — Education  and  Lib- 
erty walk  hand  in  hand  " 


JOTTINGS  AT  END  OF  VOLUME. 

Luke  13,  &  28 

Try  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate  &c 

The  founder  of  Vassar  College  and  President  Lin- 
con — Two  Noble  Emancipists — one  of  Woman — the 
Negro — 

If  any  louds  too  deep  we  have  a  Schow  here  to 
lighten  you. 

A  noted  miser  having  relented  so  much  as  to  give 
a  Beggar  6  pence  suddenly  died,  soon  after,  the  at- 
tendent  physician  gave  it  as  his  opinion  it  was  from 
the  enlargemnt  of  the  heart. 


Matthew  Vassar  43 

Woman :     To  her  virtue  we  give  love, 

To  her  Beauty  our  admiration 
To  her  hoops  the  sidewalk. 


Friday  June  3"^  June  1864 

Rode  to  College  with  "  Magoon  "  Swan  &  Matthew 
&  Babcock  on  Matters  of  Library  Room  &  Art  Gal- 
lery— Promised  to  give  Magoon  $20,000  for  all  his 
complete  collection  of  Art  he  is  first  to  send  me  "  Cata- 
louge  "  of  them  if  approved  I  am  to  pay  him  $10,000 
cash  and  $10,000  yearly  payments  of  $1000  to  suit 
my  convenience  with  Interest  after  the  said  Collection 
is  deliv"*  &  put  up  under  Magoon  superinattendnc. 
This  is  the  Gallery  of  V.  F.  C.  only  cost  of  putting  up 
to  be  at  my  Expense — Magoon  takes  the  responsibilty 
of  safe  delivry  to  the  College, — Swan  Dined  with  us. 

Thursday  June  16*^  1864 

Rec^  a  Letter  from  Rev**.  J.  H.  Raymond  accepting 
the  Presidency  of  the  V.  F.  College  on  terms  of  $2000 
till  the  College  is  in  opperation  then  to  be  $4000  pr. 
Annum  &c  &c  Swan  and  me  read  over  my  forth 
Comming  address  today  &  he  took  dinner  and  Tea 
with  us. 

Thursday  June  30*''  1864 

Ex.  Board  met  this  morning  to  take  some  action  on 
"  Harloe "  failure  &  abandonment  of  the  College 
Contract — The  excitement  of  discussion  completely 
overcame  endurance  &  came  home  prostrated  &  went 
to  Bed. 


44  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Wednesday  Aug.  lo,  1864 

We  had  21  persons  call  at  Springside  today — Miss 
Hicks  Miss  Vincents — &c 

Wm.  Fay,  Mary  Wells  &c  &c  others. 

Wednesday  Sept  7,  1864. 

Rode  to  College  with  Matthew  this  A.  M.  met 
"  Swan  "  who  at  once  began  to  tell  us  that  the  Front 
of  the  College  south  Prof  House  was  falling  down — 
went  and  looked  at  it.  First  thought  it  true,  get  out- 
side from  2^  Story  with  "  Seaman,  Swan  and  Matthew, 
all  conclude  the  front  Wall  of  the  Windows  were 
sprung  out  an  Inch,  but  on  closer  examination  of  my- 
self could  find  no  cracks  in  Wall  or  joints  of  Brick 
open,  therefore  I  saw  at  once  that  it  was  built  so — But 
that  fright  was  so  painfull  that  it  laid  me  up  for  the 
remainder  of  the  day — I  shall  never  forget  the  cir- 
cumstance. 

Saturday,  Oct  8  1864 
Sent  Miss  Burness  2  Copies  of  Tips  Life  &c. 

Wednesday  Nov.  9,  1864 

Very  Rainy  Day — Matthew  gone  to  N.  Y.  on 
*'  Williamsburg  "  Lot  business  and  partly  on  College 
sale  of  Bonds.  "  Swan  "  in  office  this  morning  Took 
"  Harloe  "^  Contract  for  Building  Gate-Lodge  expect 
"  Renwick  today.  .  .  . 

Returns  from  Every  Union  State  of  the  Election 
which  gives  Lincoln  an  overwelming  Majority,  The 
whole  passed  off,  very  Quietly. 


Matthew  Vassar  45 

Saturday  January  28,  1865 

Doct  Raymond  finished  the  Reading  his  Report  on 
Organisation  this  Evening. 

Friday  March  24,  1865 

Doct.  Raymond  finished  Reading  and  Correcting 
my  Draft  of  Address  to  Trustees  at  next  Meeting  of 
Board. 

Monday  (April)  3^ 

Meeting  of  Ex  Board  this  morning,  see  minutes. 
Telegraph-News  this  morning  11  O'ck — Richmond 
and  Peterburgh  Fallen  Great  Rejocings  Flags  flying 
and  Drums  Beating.    Rode  to  Springside  this  A.  M. 

Friday  April  7,  1865 

Burn-Fires  &  Illuminations  to  Night 

Gen\  Lee — Surrenders  his  Army  at  Burks-Station 
to  Major  Gen^  Sheridan  which  substantialy  wipes  out 
the  Rebellion. 

Wm.  Nelson,  Matthew  Doc'  Babcock  and  wife  calP 
this  evening.    D""  Raymond  call^  this  evening. 

Wednesday,  April  12*''  1865. 

Trustee^  of  V.  F.  C.  all  met  except  Buckingham, 
Pierce,  Swift,  J.  G.  Vassar,  Tossing,  Morse,  and  Swift, 
see  Sec^  Swan — ^minutes  for  buisness  Transaction. 

Promised  the  Committee  on  "  Ways  and  Means 
Kelly,  Anderson  and  Harper  to  Loan  College  $25000 
on  the  Bonds  of  the  corporation  at  lawfull 
Interest  in  sums  to  suit  my  Convenience  at  different 
Times  and  the  College  Neccessities — 


46  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

All  business  matters  finished  up,  the  Board  Ad- 
journed for  Dinner  at  5  o'ck.  Before  which  M" 
Schow  distributed  my  Photograph  with  College  view 
on  back  of  Cards.  I  came  home  &  went  to  Bed,  com- 
pletely exhausted,  having  experienced  much  of  my  old 
complaints,  "  Swan  "  had  to  read  my  Address. 

Saturday  April  15,  1865 

Awful  intellingence  this  Morning 
Lincoln  &  Seward  Assasinated 
Both  dead,  other  members  of  Seward^  family  Injured 
by  the  Assassins — The  whole  Country  in  Sadness  and 
Mourning — our  City  draped  in  Mourning — Such  is  the 
sensibility  &  feeling  but  few  persons  are  seen  in  the 
Streets. 

Joseph  gone  with  D"^  Babcock  &  2  Ladies  to  Col- 
lege. 

Wednesday,  April  19,  1865 

A  Memorial  Day — A  day  never  to  he  forgotten, 
people  sad,  stores  all  closed,  the  whole  City  draped  in 
Deep  Mourning.  Largest  Procession  of  Citizens  ever 
seen  in  Po.  at  2  Ock  P  M.  Church  services  held  in  the 
Morning.  Immense  Attendance — ^D'.  Raymond  Dined 
with  us. 

Friday,  April  21,  1865. 

Clouldy,  &  ocasional  showers.  Remained  in  house 
to-day,  being  quite  dizzy. 

Wrote  Ch'.  A.  Raymond  Fort  Monroe,  this  morn- 
ing— Read  the  Letter  to  John  H.  Raymond — D'  Ray- 
mond &  Matthew  calP  this  Evening. 


Matthew  Vassar  47 


Tuesday  April  24,  1865. 

Cut  Magnolia  to  Decorate  Pres*.  Lincoln-Coffin  at 
the  R.  R.  Depo  this  Evening — Amanda  accompany** 
Lady  Com.  down. 

Immense  multitude  supposed  10,000  went  to  R  R 
depo.  Doct  Raymond  &  Amanda  Invited  into  the  De- 
ceased Car — all  superbently  draped  in  Black — ^where 
were  the  Coffins  of  Pres*  Lincon  and  his  son  Willie 
Matthew  came  up  this  Evening  with  the  Express  Train 
— See  paper*  for  doings  in  N  Y.  Weather  very  beau- 
tiful. 

Satturday  April  29,  1865. 

I  am  going  into  my  74  years  this  morning  5  minutes 
past  12  O'ck.  mid-night,  woke  and  got  up  by  chance 
at  this  hour. 

Mem.  of  College  matters  yet  to  attended  to  May 
27,  1865. 

Gass  Light-Burners — ^Time-pieces — Bells  or  Gongs, 
Cabinetts  of  Insects — Ice  House.  Span  College  Car- 
rage  Horses  &  Vehicle  or  Coach — Floors  Oiled — Beds 
&  Bedding,  Gass  Light  in  "  Observatory " — Class 
Books  for  College.  Chemical  department  fitted  up — 
Unfinished  Masonry  Halls  &c.  Steps  front  Entrance 
— Building  for  Gynestic  or  Riding  School. 

Kitchen  Department — Crockery  &  Cooking  Uten- 
tials  &c.  &c.  &c.     Gass  House  Roof  strengthened  &c. 

Iron  Railing — Gallery  of  Chapel — Cushions. 

ditto  In  Art  Gallery.  Unfinished  Roads — 

Painting.  Coal.  Lighting  Rods.  Stone  steps  to 
Tours.  Water  Hoses  ReaP  &  Hoses.  Equipments 
for  Riding  School  &c  &c  &c 


48  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Friday  June  16,  1865 

Sick  and  tired  of  College  business,  no  one  to  help 
me,  Excep  "  Scow,"  Doct  Raymond  &  Swan.  Buck- 
ingham does  all  he  can.  Long  talk  with  Scow  and  D' 
Raymond  on  College  Matters. 

Saturday  June  17,  1865. 

Weather  very  hot  Had  long  talk  with  D^  Raymond 
about  "  College  "  affairs,  suggested  to  him  my  mind 
about  Resigning  as  Chairman  of  the  Ex  Com.  he  was 
supprised  but  I  ask**  him  to  consider  the  matter — this 
was  last  Evening  &  this  morning  renewed  the  conver- 
sation whereupon  he  made  several  important  sugges- 
tions which  see  hereafter — Sent  my  old  Carrage  to  H. 
W.  Morris  to  sell  this  morning — Sold  at  $100  to  Geo. 
Innis  Esq. 

Sunday  June  18,  1865 

Hot  very  hot,  Thermometer  97 — Doc*  Raymond 
spent  the  morning  &  Dined  with  us.  Gave  him  a  Letter 
to  Nathan  Bishop  asking  him  to  accept  the  Office  of 
Chairman  of  Ex  Com.  and  that  letter  informed  him 
of  my  purpose  to  Resign 

Monday  June  19"*  1865. 

Did  not  attend  Ex  Meeting  this  P  M  being  poorly 
&c.  Weather  clouldy,  looks  like  Rain.  Amanda  went 
with  Joseph  to  town  this  P  M.  Rode  down  S.  Avenue 
as  far  as  "  Constant "  new  place  this  afternoon. 
"  Wheeler "  1/4  day  work  fixing  Cottage  Windows 
and  Barn  Sill,  quit  at  1/4  4  O'ck  came  at  i  O'ck. 

Morn  sold  old  Carrage  to  Geo  Innis  for  $110,  after- 


Copyright  by  Vaasar  College 


MATTHEW  VASSAR 


Matthew  Vassar 


49 


wards  "  Innis "  wanted  Morris  to  make  a  deduction 
for  a  split-hub  which  I  refused  to  allow. 

Thursday  June  22'*  1865 

Weather  hot  and  Sultry  Rode  to  Town  this  M°« 
with  Amanda — feeling  quite  poorly  &c. — ^Writing  off 
my  Addrefs  for  the  27"*  June  Meeting  to-day. 

Sunday  June  25,  1865. 

Doct.  Raymond  &  Swan  spent  the  day  with  us. 
Dined  &  Took  Tea.  Weather  very  hot  but  clear. 
Read  over  my  coming  Address  to  the  Trustees.  Gave 
M'  Swan  Drft  of  College  floors. 


LETTERS   OF    i860   AND    1861 

These  letters  from  the  year  of  organization  of  the 
college  are  addressed  to  persons  who  were  to  play  an 
important  part  in  its  future.  Milo  P.  Jewett,  the 
founder  of  the  idea  of  the  college  in  Matthew  Vas- 
sar's  mind,  became  the  first  president.  John  Howard 
Raymond,  one  of  the  charter  trustees,  then  head  of 
the  Brooklyn  Polytechnic  Institute,  was  the  second 
president  of  the  college.  Martin  Brewer  Anderson,  a 
charter  trustee  of  the  college,  was  President  of  the 
University  of  Rochester.  Rufus  Babcock  was  also  a 
charter  trustee,  a  Baptist  clergyman  who  held  charges 
in  Poughkeepsie  at  two  different  times.  Edward  L. 
Youmans,  student  of  science  and  medicine,  was  a 
lyceum  lecturer  on  science,  planned  the  "  International 
Scientific  Series  ",  and  founded  and  edited  the  "  Popu- 
lar Science  Monthly ",  and  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hale,  the 
"  editress  "  of  "  Godey's  Lady's  Book  ",  was  one  of 
the  leading  feminists  of  the  time  and  the  person  to 
whom  the  Founder  addressed  some  of  his  most  con- 
fidential and  intimate  letters  about  the  college. 

These  letters  of  1 860-1861  range  over  such  sub- 
jects as  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees,  the 
college  investments,  salaries,  the  visits  of  President 
Jewett  to  Brown  University,  Dartmouth  College  and 
Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary,  and  over  more  general 
themes, — the  Founder's  common  sense  theory  of  edu- 
cation, the  mental  stimulus  of  the  young,  wise  control 
of  the  pupils,  the  desirability  of  a  uniform  costume  for 

50 


Copyright  by  Vassar  College 


MRS.  MATTHEW  VASSAR 


Autobiography  and  Letters  51 

them.  They  show  the  excitement  of  launching  a  new 
venture  and  the  smooth  progress  of  the  first  days  of 
the  voyage. 


Pokeepsie,  May  8^  i860. 
Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hale 
Philadelphia 
My  dear  Madame 

Having  been  temporaly  indisposed  since  the  receipt 
of  your  favor  of  the  30"  Ulto.  with  Encloses  must  be 
my  apology  for  delaying  my  answer  to  the  very  kind 
term  in  which  you  are  pleased  to  adverts  to  my  efforts 
for  the  promotion  of  the  Education  of  the  young 
women  of  our  Country.  I  am  honored  in  finding  my 
own  views  so  much  in  harmony  with  the  Sentiments 
found  in  Editorials  of  the  Ladys  Book  and  will  avail 
myself  of  an  early  opportunity  to  secure  the  Biographi- 
cal Dictionary  &c.  to  which  you  have  alluded,  to  aid 
me  in  the  more  enlarged  Sphere  in  that  department  of 
Knowledge 

In  regard  to  details  respecting  the  plans,  organiza- 
tion &c  of  "  Vassar  College  ",  I  deem  it  premature  to 
present  to  the  public  anything  further  than  what  has 
already  been  commented  on  in  those  articles  furnished 
you  by  our  mutual  friend  Professor  Jewett  now  in 
your  hands.  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  see  in  the  Ladys 
Book  to  which  you  refer  me  such  suggestions  as  your 
mature  reflection  and  practical  knowledge  of  the  sub- 
ject may  from  time  to  time  prompt  you  to  make 
Very  respectfully 


52  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Pokeepsie,  Jan.  24,  1861. 
John  H.  Raymond,  Esq., 
Dear  Sir: 

You  will  perceive  from  a  copy  of  the  Charter  ac- 
companying, that  you  are  appointed  one  of  the  Cor- 
poration of  "  Vassar  Female  College  ". 

Permit  me  to  express  the  earnest  hope  that  you  will 
accept  the  trust,  and  that  you  will  not  only  give  to  the 
enterprise  about  to  be  inaugurated  the  sanction  of 
your  name  &  reputation,  but  also  your  best  counsel 
and  active  support  and  co-operation. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Trustees  will  be  held  at  the 
Gregory  House  in  this  city,  on  Tuesday,  February 
26^  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Immediately  on  the  organization  of  the  Board,  I 
shall  place  in  its  hands  the  Funds  and  Securities  which 
I  have  appropriated  to  the  College. 

At  this  meeting,  measures  must  be  adopted  for  the 
custody  and  management  of  the  College  funds,  the 
erection  of  the  Buildings,  and  the  improvement  of  the 
Grounds.  Needful  preliminary  and  prospective  ar- 
rangements will  also  be  considered  in  regard  to  the 
Organization  of  the  College. 

Hence,  it  is  of  great  importance  that  every  Trustee 
should  be  present. 

It  is  thought  that  the  business  may  be  finished, 
either  in  the  Board  itself,  or  by  reference  to  appro- 
priate Committees,  so  that  the  members  may  return 
home,  the  same  evening. 

With  sentiments  of  high  consideration,  I  am, 
.    Very  truly  &  respectfully. 

Your  obt.  svt., 

M.  Vassar. 


Copyright  by  Vaasar  College 


THE  PRESENTATION  OF  THE  FUNDS 


Matthew  Vassar  53 


Po'keepsie,  March  8,  1861. 
Professor  Edward  Youman 
My  dear  sir 

Some  weeks  since  when  you  were  in  our  City  and  at 
my  house  I  personally  made  my  thanks  to  you  for 
those  books,  and  wished  to  know  the  price  &c,  you 
earnestly  replied  that  if  I  would  read  the  first  chapter 
in  "  Education  "  headed  "  What  knowledge  is  of  most 
worth  ",  you  would  be  compensated.  Taking  you  at 
your  word,  I  am  entitled  to  withhold  my  thanks  even, 
for  I  have  read  the  whole  book,  thereby  more  the  can- 
celling of  that  debt,  and  if  my  appreciation  of  the 
value  of  the  work  could  be  reduced  to  money,  the 
author  of  it  might  too  soon  for  the  Educational  public 
good  retire  on  a  compentense.  The  views  and  senti- 
ments therein  inculcated  are  plain  demonstrative  prac- 
tical ones,  such  that  any  common  sense  mind  might 
adopt,  and  just  the  ones  most  needed  at  the  present 
time  to  counteract  the  pernicious  degenerating  princi- 
ples that  are  being  instilled  in  the  minds  of  the  rising 
generations  of  both  sexes,  dignified  by  the  name  of 
Education. 

What  is  generaly  taught  in  schools  tends  about  as 
much  toward  discipline,  self  knowledge,  self  preserva- 
tion, or  complete  living  as  the  fact  "  My  Neighbors 
Cat  Kittened  yesterday " — a  laughable  but  excellent 
illustration. 

It  was  my  intention  and  purpose  to  have  acknowl- 
edged your  Kindness  ere  this,  but  my  continued  ill 
health  with  pressing  business  claims  in  the  matter  of 
my  College  enterprise  have  taken  up  every  moment  of 
my  spare  time. 


54  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

I  shall  allways  be  verry  happy  to  hear  from  you  on 
any  subject  especially  upon  that  of  Educational  prog- 
ress &  developement. 

Yours  &c 


March  22^  1861 
Professor  E.  L.  Youmann 
I>Sir 
Yours  of  yesterday  is  just  received  and  in  reply  I 
think  you  have  presumed  on  too  much  to  ask  permis- 
sion of  me  to  insert  in  a  public  way  any  extracts  from 
my  private  correspondence  with  you,  not  that  I  am 
unwilling  to  confer  the  benefit  of  my  pen  to  your  serv- 
ice but  I  fear  it  would  be  looked  upon  as  a  sort  of  bur- 
lesque by  the  literati  of  our  Country,  a  humble  obscure 
citizen  presuming  to  intrude  in  the  ranks  of  polite  lit- 
erature, yet  I  am  so  extremely  flattered  with  that  idea 
that  I  consent  willingly  if  you  can  derive  profit  from 
its  publication. 

Yours  very  truly 


May  7^  1861 
M.  B.  Anderson  L  L  D 
I>Sir 

I  have  enclosed  to  your  address  pr  mail  this  P.  M. 
a  Copy  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Trustees  of  the  V. 
F.  College  at  their  first  meeting  26  Febray  last,  also 
a  sample  sheet  of  Letter  Circulars,  both  of  which  we 
think  handsomely  executed. 

We  are  taking  all  the  preliminary  steps  to  commence 
the  College  buildings,  have  enclosed  by  fencing  in  an 


Matthew  Vassar  55 

area  of  some  6  acres  of  ground  for  the  Cite,  made  one 
contract  with  the  builder,  and  architect,  the  former  in 
the  sum  of  $178,200  and  $5300,  this  last  includes  all 
plans  &  drawings  and  superintendence  of  the  work  un- 
till  completed.  We  propose  to  carry  up  the  foundation 
walls  to  the  first  tier  of  beams  this  season,  the  follow- 
ing to  enclose  the  building,  the  third  season  finish 
ready  for  occupance  in  the  fall  of  64.  Some  delay 
have  occurred  on  account  our  national  troubles,  im- 
paring  seriously  the  market  value  of  our  assets.  The 
most  depressed  of  these  we  propose  to  lay  aside,  and 
use  only  such  as  will  result  in  the  least  sacrifice.  Were 
it  not  that  our  expenses  for  salaried  officers  &c  has 
been  incurred  amounting  to  some  $5,000  pr  annum 
and  our  Contracts  for  the  Buildings  made  (alltho'  the 
time  of  commencing  them  is  discretionally  at  the  op- 
tion of  the  Committee)  we  might  reasonably  halt.  I 
think  according  to  the  present  market  value  of  our 
assetts  we  may  place  to  profit  &  loss  account  up  to  the 
present  time  $75000. 

We  can  put  up  the  first  Story  of  the  building  at  a 

Cost  of  about  $23000  including  first  tier  of  beams.    To 

meet  this  expenditure  we  shall  have  an  income  from 

interest  account  this  year  of  $24000 

Less  salaried  Officers  &c  $5000 


$19000 


leaving  a  deficit  on  this  years  a/c  $4000 


A  Crisis  is  now  upon  us,  whether  to  halt  until  the 
issue  of  our  national  troubles  are  settled,  or  to  pro- 
ceed, in  one  respect  the  turn  of  public  affairs  will  be 
to  the  advantage  of  the  Contractor,  enabling  him  to 


^6  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

buy  his  materials  at  reduced  prices,  also  labor  will  be 
cheaper,  and  we  may  also  avail  ourselves  of  a  cheap 
rate  of  interest  by  hypothecating  our  securities  (in- 
stead of  selling)  to  the  amount  sufficient  to  put  up  the 
buildings,  these  and  other  considerations  we  have  duly 
weighed,  and  final  resulted  in  our  determination  to 
proceed  the  work. 

How  are  you  progressing  with  your  University 
Buildings?  what  proportion  of  the  inside  or  interior 
work  is  completed?  Does  these  stirring  times  disturb 
the  patronage  of  the  Institution?  I  predict  that  after 
our  national  troubles  are  amicably  adjusted,  our  noth- 
ern  educational  establishments  will  be  better  sustained 
by  our  Southern  friends  than  ever. 

Please  let  me  hear  from  you 

Yours  respectfully 


21'*  May  1861 
John  G.  White  Esq.  Albany 
Dear  Sir 
I  address  you  first  as  an  old  rriend,  secondly  as  a 
business  man  &  thirdly  as  President  of  the  Bank  of 
the  "  Capitol."     Under  the  first  division  allow  me  to 
say  that  our  acquaintance  has  been  such  that  if  there 
were  any  man  on  Earth  whom  I  regarded  worthy  of 
my   esteem   &   confidence   it  was  yourself.    Secondly. 
Your  business  qualifications  through  a  long  course  of 
years   fully  confirmed  me   of  your   capacity  for   the 
faithful  and  honest  discharge  of  all  the  duties  con- 
nected with  the  Bank,   and  thirdly  your  position  as 
Director   &   subsequently   its   first   officer   gave   it   a 


Matthew  Vassar  57 

character  unsurpassed  by  any  other  Institution.  It 
was  these  considerations  that  induced  me  mainly  to 
take  &  hold  its  Stock,  and  if  among  the  various  assetts 
which  I  transferred  over  to  the  "  Vassar  Female  Col- 
lege "  I  had  been  asked  which  I  regarded  best  among 
them  all,  I  should  have  placed  the  Bank  of  the  Capitol 
the  first  on  the  list,  but  since  its  suspension  a  shock 
has  come  over  me  obliterating  all  confidence  in  human 
Institutions,  and  discourages  me  to  proceed  with  our 
enterprise  at  present  for  fear  that  others  may  also 
soon  share  a  similar  fate ;  the  corporation  having  lost 
up  to  this  time  by  Southern  State  Stocks  and  ist 
Mortg.  RailRoads  Bonds  &c  nearly  $100,000  of  their 
fund  and  that  within  the  short  space  of  90  days.  May 
I  take  the  liberty  to  ask  you  the  question  as  to  the 
ultimate  prospects  of  the  Bank  paying  its  Stockholders. 
Please  to  let  me  hear  from  you  soon.  So  that  I  may 
lay  the  matter  before  our  Board. 

Yours  respectfully, 


June  i\^  1 86 1. 
Prof^'.  M.  P.  Jewett 
Dear  Sir 
My  engagements  of  this  morning  necessarily  pre- 
vented a  further  exchange  of  views  with  you  &  Mat- 
thew upon  the  matter  of  our  College  Salaried  officials 
which  were  incidentally  alluded  to   this  morning,   it 
having  previously  been  hinted  but  with  no  especial  ap- 
plication to  any  one,  that  some  line  should  be  drawn 
constituting  the  proper  charges  coming  within  their 
especial  duties.    At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of 


58  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Trustees  on  the  26*"  february  it  did  not  occur  to  me 
that  the  Salary  of  any  Officer  would  then  commence, 
nor  were  I  ever  consulted  or  been  apprised  in  any  way 
that  such  would  have  been  the  Case,  it  was  therefore 
asked  of  me  at  that  time  by  some  present  if  the  Com- 
mittee recommending  your  Salary  had  consulted  with 
me,  to  which  I  replyed  in  the  Negative,  but  the  act  of 
the  Settlement  of  your  Salary  having  passed  the  Vote 
of  the  Bord,  somewhat  hurriedly,  I  said  to  my  friends 
I  suppose  it  was  all  right,  as  your  duties  would  be  both 
expensive  &  laborious,  to  which  answer  all  seemed 
to  acquiese  and  the  presendence  of  paying  Salaries  hav- 
ing once  began,  ground  had  been  broken  &  opened 
the  way  for  others  to  put  in  their  Claims.  At  that  time 
however,  we  all  expected  the  work  of  building  & 
other  preparations  incident  thereto  would  go  forward 
without  delay  or  as  soon  as  the  necessary  prelimenaries 
could  be  made  to  justify,  therefore  nothing  further  was 
said  or  done.  Since  that  time  great  changes  in  our 
national  affairs  effecting  our  plans  &  financial  means 
have  taken  place,  and  which  it  were  not  in  the  power 
of  the  Bord  to  foresee  or  reasonably  anticipate.  In 
view  of  these  considerations  it  becomes  a  question  of 
Enquiry  &  which  will  be  doubtless  instituted  at  the 
next  meeting  of  the  Bord  how  far  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee can  be  justified  in  their  doings  &c  I  will  also 
here  remark  that  up  to  the  day  of  the  Organisation  of 
the  Board  nothing  had  passed  between  you  and  me  with 
regard  to  the  amount  of  your  Salary  and  so  I  expressed 
myself  at  the  meeting  and  when  the  matter  was  hastily 
hinted  I  remarked  /  supposed  it  all  right  under  the  im- 
pression that  the  $2000  Pr  annum  included  all  inci- 
dental expenses  that  might  be  incurred  by  you  untill 


Matthew  Vassar  59 

the  College  was  opened  for  pupils.  Now  you  Know  me 
well  enough  to  Know  that  it  is  far  from  my  purpose  to 
recommend  anything  short  of  a  generous  &  liberal 
construction  of  those  early  proceedings  at  the  same 
time  I  much  desire  that  nothing  should  occur  to  Cause 
disatisfaction  to  you  or  any  of  our  Official  Bord.  I 
send  you  this  brief  exposition  of  my  views  in  order 
that  a  fair  understanding  may  be  had  at  next  meeting 
In  regard  to  what  constitute  proper  charges  to  the 
College. 

Yours  truly 


June  (25th),  1861 
C.  Swan  Esq  Sect.  "  Vassar  Female  College  " 
Dear  Sir 

I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  note  of  this  morning 
transmitting  an  official  resolution  passed  by  the  Bord 
of  Trustees  of  "  Vassar  Female  College  "  at  their 
meeting  yesterday  requesting  me  as  the  founder  of 
that  Institution  to  sit  for  a  full  lenght  potrait  by  the 
distinguished  artist  Charles  L.  Elliott  Esq  of  New 
York  City,  and  which  potrait  is  designed  to  be  pre- 
served in  the  College  Edifice. 

In  reply  I  would  most  respectfully  return  my  pro- 
found and  unfeigned  thanks  to  your  honorable  Bord 
for  this  distinguished  Compliment, — personaly  I  feel 
it  unmerited,  and  can  only  consent  to  the  request  in 
consideration  of  the  object  and  source  from  whence  it 
emminates.  You  will  please  to  inform  your  gentlemen 
Committee  Mess'  M.  P.  Jewett  ProP,  Doct  Nathan 
Bishop,  and  Rev**  E.  L.  Magoon  who  have  the  same 


6o  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

in  charge  that  I  will  be  prepared  to  sit  at  the  artist 
Studio  at  any  time  most  convenient  to  himself. 
I  am  dear  Sir, 

With  great  respects 

Your  obed^  Ser'. 

M.  Vassar. 


31'*  August  1 861 
Professor  Edward  L.  Youman       Saratoga  Springs 

My  dear  Sir  The  time  is  near  at  hand  when  we 
shall  be  ready  for  the  imposing  Ceremony  of  laying 
the  Corner  Stone  of  the  V.  F.  College  i  Ocf  proximo, 
and  as  our  views  of  Female  Education  are  so  much  in 
harmony  and  my  health  and  time  are  both  unfavor- 
able to  devote  myself  in  making  suitable  preparations 
for  that  occasion,  I  have  a  desire  to  avail  myself  of 
your  thought  on  that  subject, — and  to  request  the  favor 
of  soliciting  the  outline  of  an  address  to  be  read  by  me 
on  that  interesting  and  important  crisis  in  the  Colleges 
history.  I  am  happy,  very  happy  to  find  public  Senti- 
ment so  favorably  impressed  with  our  plan  &  Enter- 
prise. When  our  plans  were  first  made  public  they 
were  met  with  many  discouraging  objections,  sugges- 
tive as  to  its  practicabality  on  so  extensive  a  scale  as 
we  proposed,  but  time  &  reflection  have  I  am  rejoiced 
to  find  won  for  us  numerous  friends  &  that  from  the 
circle  of  the  most  highly  educated  minds  in  this  Coun- 
try. We  are  daily  in  receipt  of  Communications  from 
the  most  destinguished  gentlemen  &  Ladies  of  both 
hemesphere's  soliciting  information  of  our  System  & 
the  period  of  the  Colleges  commencement 


Matthew  Vassar  6i 

Notwithstanding  the  financial  crisis  we  have  so  man- 
aged our  funds  as  be  enabled  to  carry  forward  the 
College  building  to  the  Commencement  of  the  second 
story  and  will  with  part  of  the  second  tier  of  beams 
completed  by  the  15th  Novbr.  The  first  tier  is  now 
being  placed  thereon.  We  leave  a  space  open  in  the 
Centre  ingress  or  main  front  door  of  the  building  for 
to  place  the  Corner  Stone  which  on  closing  up  leaves 
the  Edifice  Walls  completed  to  the  2^  Story.  I  shall 
be  happy  to  have  you  honor  us  with  your  presence  on 
the  occasion  of  that  Ceremony  of  which  you  will  have 
proper  notice  hereafter.  My  purpose  of  addressing 
you  this  morning  was  as  above  stated  to  afford  you  time 
to  throw  together  a  few  thoughts  upon  the  subject  re- 
ferred and  I  will  add  such  of  mine  as  time  and  Cir- 
cumstances will  suggest  and  permit. 

My  general  health  is  tolerable  good  but  am  still  suf- 
fering a  little  from  an  attack  of  paralysis  two  years 
ago.    Please  to  let  me  hear  from  you  very  soon. 

Yours  truly 
PS.         I  do  not  expect  to  tresspass  upon  your  time 
without  some  consideration,  therefore  please  to  allow 
me  the  privelege  to  bear  that  in  mind. 


Sept.  ^^^  1 86 1 
Professor  E.  L.  Youmann        Saratoga  Springs 
Dear  Sir  - 
Your   kind  note   of  yesterday  is  before   me,    and 
hasten  to  reply  in  the  midst  of  very  pressing  College 
engagements.     The  Committee  on  the  Ceremonies  of 
laying  the  Corner  Stone  of  the  V.  F.  College  have  been 


62  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

confering  with  Professor  Raymond  of  Brooklyn,  D' 
Adams  and  D'  Chapin  of  N.  Y.  City  to  take  part  in 
the  addresses  on  that  occasion,  they  had  written  them 
without  my  knowledge.  The  Honbl.  Edward  Everett 
was  invited  &  expected  to  deliver  the  address,  but  other 
pressing  engagements  after  a  delay  of  some  weeks  of 
consideration  now  prevents  him  accepting  the  invita- 
tions. 

With  reference  to  the  preparotary  remarks  intimated 
in  my  last  which  I  wanted  you  to  supply,  they  must  be 
confined  chiefly  to  the  main  Subject,  "  The  Female  " 
*'  her  Education  "  her  sphere  and  availability  for  the 
greatest  usefulness  in  life,  and  the  best  process  to  im- 
part it  &c.  I  suppose  the  whole  of  the  entire  Cere- 
monies ought  not  to  occupy  over  3  hours,  addresses 
therefore  must  be  short,  but  comprehensive  &c  &c. 
With  these  hasty  remarks,  I  part  with  you  untill  you 
proposed  visit  to  Pokeepsie. 

Yours  truly 


Sept.  11*^  1 86 1. 
Professor  John  A.  Porter  New  Haven. 

Dear  Sir. 

Circumstances  have  prevented  an  earlier  reply  to 
your  kind  favor  of  the  28*''  Ulto. 

I  fully  appreciate  the  considerations  presented 
touching  a  visit  to  Europe  by  Doctor  Fisher  our  pro- 
spective Professor  of  Chemistry 

The  advantages  to  the  College  would  be  real,  sub- 
stantial and  of  great  value — aside  from  the  Eclat  there- 
with attending. 

Under  this  view  I  laid  your  communication  before 


Matthew  Vassar  63 

our  Executive  Committee  which  has  charge  of  all 
questions  connected  with  our  finances.  After  a  full 
discussion,  they  concluded  that  they  are  not  at  liberty 
at  this  point  in  our  Enterprise  to  Employ  any  portion 
of  the  College  funds  for  the  purposes  suggested,  at 
the  same  time  it  seemed  to  be  the  opinion  of  the  mem- 
bers, that  after  the  Professor  has  been  actually  ap- 
pointed. Say  next  June,  or  at  the  latest,  in  the  follow- 
ing February — then  the  desired  aid  may  be  properly 
rendered. 

Permit  me  to  ask  would  it  not  be  better  for  Profes- 
sor Jewett  to  defer  his  visit  abroad  untill  the  i'*  of 
July  next.  If  the  College  does  not  open  before  Sept'. 
1864,  as  is  now  contemplated  he  would  then  have  two 
full  years  in  Europe,  could  avail  himself  of  the  latest 
discoveries  up  to  the  time  of  entering  on  the  duties  of 
his  Chair;  and  could  attend  to  the  purchase  or  manu- 
factoring  of  such  apparatus  as  must  be  procured  from 
the  old  world. 

Thanking  you  for  your  Kind  interest  in  our  institu- 
tion and  trusting  that  Doctor  Fishers  wishes  will  be 
gratified  in  due  time 

I  am  respectfully 


Ocf  11*'^  1 861. 
Professor  E.  L.  Youmann        Saratoga  Springs 

Dear  Sir  I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the 
4***  current,  but  ill  health  has  not  permitted  an  earlier 
reply,  I  now  would  beg  to  remark  that  the  paper  you 
left  with  me  last  month  for  perusal  have  been  reviewed 
since  you  read  it  over  to  me,  at  which  time  my  mind 
was  quite  occupied  with  recent  family  afflictions  and 


64  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

other  exciting  interests  which  rather  disqualified  me 
to  judge  of  its  merits  at  that  time. 

Upon  a  further  examination  I  do  not  think  it  a  suit- 
able document  for  the  "  Laying  of  the  Corner  Stone 
of  the  College  "  it  is  too  elaborate  and  lacks  pithiness 
&  points  for  such  a  ceremony,  it  would  be  more  Suit- 
able for  the  Opening  of  the  Institution.  By  refering 
to  my  letter  of  the  31^^  August  you  will  notice  that  I 
merely  asked  you  to  throw  together  a  few  thoughts 
as  an  Outline  on  Female  Education,  which  would  per- 
haps be  suggestive  of  interest,  in  my  opening  address 
on  that  occasion  adding  by  P.  S.  "  that  I  would  award 
you  some  consideration  therefore  " 

However  without  further  preamble  I  desire  to  do 
what  is  right  in  the  premises,  and  now  ask  whether  you 
could  reduce  this  charge  within  the  Compass  of  the 
Circumstances  which  called  for  the  same. 

Yours  truly. 


23"^  Oct'  1 86 1 
Rev^  Rufus  Babcock  D  D       Patterson,  N.  J. 
Dear  Sir 
I  have  been  considering  over  the  suggestions  you 
were  so  obliging  as  to  make  in  relation  to  the  internal 
organization  of  the  educational  departments  of  Vassar 
Female  College,  the  hints  so  happily  expressed  as  a 
preparatory  Measure  ere  the  institution  is  fully  com- 
pleted, meets  my  entire  approbation.     The  idea  is  a 
good  one  viz :  as  soon  as  possible  prepare  a  few  teach- 
ers ready  for  the  dutys  of  instruction  at  as  early  a  day 
after  the  building  is  enclosed  as  possible.     In  the  mat- 
ter of  day  pupils  I  am  more  and  more  convinced  by  re- 


Matthew  Vassar  65 

flection,  that  it  will  never  answer.  It  is  just  as  im- 
portant that  we  have  our  Scholars  under  our  own  con- 
trol as  the  Colonel  of  a  Brigade  when  going  into  battle 
— there  furloughs  &  passes  are  never  granted  with- 
out absolut  necessity.  What  I  regard  as  an  essential 
element  of  our  Institution  is  the  perfect  Control  of  the 
pupils  during  the  period  of  their  instruction  in  the 
College,  any  thing  short  of  this  is  a  yielding  up  of  our 
immediate  guardianship,  while  the  responsibility  re- 
mains,— happen  what  may  to  these  young  thoughtless 
creatures  in  a  moral  point  of  view  the  College  must 
incur  the  Odium.  As  to  the  Economy  of  the  two  plans 
there  can  not  be  a  doubt,  and  it  is  this  very  feature 
in  our  hording  System  that  will  largely  augment  the 
profits,  when  our  large  public  Hotels  secure  a  certain 
number  of  regular  borders  to  furnish  the  table,  further 
addition  is  clear  gain. 

I  would  even  go  further  and  insist  upon  a  Uniform 
Costume  for  all  the  young  ladies  to  be  furnished  by 
the  College  and  here  again  we  make  a  saving  to  the 
patrons.  I  will  leave  it  to  your  own  reflection  how 
easily  this  can  be  accomplished  by  employing  suitable 
persons  to  contract  for  the  work.  I  received  this  morn- 
ing a  letter  from  D""  Hague  apoliglzing  for  his  inat- 
tention to  my  letters,  absence  &  other  engagements 
prevented,  he  expresses  great  Interest  in  our  enterprise. 

Professor  Jewett  is  still  absent,  he  gives  a  glowing 
account  of  our  College  enterprise  throughout  the  Coun- 
try he  has  visited — it  is  too  long  and  too  flattering  for 
me  to  relate — suffice  to  say  it  meets  with  highest  en- 
conium  among  the  Literati 

With  much  regards   I  remain  Yours  truly. — 


66  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


Oct'  31''  1861. 
Rev"*  Rufus  Babcock  D  D        Patterson  N.  J. 

My  dear  friend.  I  was  duly  favored  with  your 
kind  note  of  Saturday  26  Current,  and  were  happy  to 
discover  that  our  views  in  the  matter  of  college  disci- 
pline were  so  much  in  unionson.  While  the  wisest  of 
us  are  but  relatively  perfect  in  the  most  simple  things 
of  human  life,  it  is  not  strange  that  new  and  untried 
experiments  should  tax  our  energies  to  the  utmost  and 
after  all  prove  failures.  In  the  management  of  our 
Scheme  it  might  be  well  to  diverge  a  little  from  the 
Common  track  even  if  nothing  is  gained  but  novelty. 
Speaking  of  tracks  reminds  me  of  a  Capital  arrange- 
ment adopted  some  years  since  on  your  N.  J.  R.  Road 
where  we  can  learn  the  extraordinary  fact  that  since  its 
organization  36  millions  of  persons  have  ridden  in  their 
cars  without  the  loss  of  life  or  limb  while  occupying 
their  seats,  such  fidelity  to  duty  on  the  part  of  the  Em- 
ployees has  been  owing  to  a  liberal  bonus  paid  every 
three  months  to  such  of  them  whose  rout  no  accident 
has  happened  but  with  a  fine  or  dismission  if  any  thing 
goes  wrong  for  want  of  diligence.  Let  us  make  a  note 
of  this  and  emulate  the  carefulness  of  the  very  oldest 
R.  R  Co  in  the  nation,  and  the  only  one  who  pays  "  a 
bonus "  to  fidelity,  not  that  I  would  over  stimulate 
young  brains  for  I  do  not  believe  with  the  majority 
of  Parents  that  the  more  hours  their  children  study 
at  school  the  faster  they  learn  no  more  than  the  larger 
quantity  of  food  they  eat  the  fatter  they  grow,  or 
that  every  hour  taken  from  sleep  Is  one  gained  Such 
are  not  my  views,  nor  would  I  contend  because  the 
dirtest  children  in  the  Street,  are  the  most  hearty  and 


Matthew  Vassar  67 

healthy,  therefore  cleanliness  is  a  superfluity, — but  I 
do  go  for  mental  stimulus  of  some  sort  and  for  daily 
exposure  to  the  pure  air  in  joyous  unrestrained  activity 
in  spite  of  rags  &  filth.  And  it  is  with  reference  to 
these  exercises  that  I  choose  the  spacious  grounds  at 
Mill  Cove,  but  waving  further  suggestions  on  modes 
of  discipline  I  would  briefly  in  my  closing  remarks 
say,  that  my  visit  to  Mill  Cove  yesterday  enables  me 
to  inform  you  that  our  Workmen  will  all  be  discharged 
from  College  buildings  on  the  5*^  proximo,  when 
the  2^  Story  or  Basement  portion  will  be  completed. 
The  Artists  Messr^  Elliott  and  Wright  have  finished 
their  pictures  and  we  are  now  engaged  placing  them 
temporaly  up  in  the  C.  B.  Church.  Prof.  Jewett  is 
still  absent  in  his  professional  tour  at  the  East,  his 
last  letter  under  date  the  26  Current  was  written  from 
Boston,  having  visited  all  the  Institutions  of  learning 
in  that  City,  his  next  visit  is  Providence  to  Browns 
University,  Mt.  Holyoke  Female  Seminary  and  other 
Institutions. 

Yours  very  truly. 


November  13*'*  1861. 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Hale, 

Editor  of  the  Godeys  Book,  Philadelphia. 
Dear  Madame 
I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  esteemed  favor  of  yes- 
terdays date  and  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  notice 
the  deep  and  continued  interest  you  take  in  our  En- 
terprise the  V.  F  College,  and  more  especially  as  its 
incipient  beginning  has  fallen  amidst  our  great  national 
troubles  which  absorbs  all  other  minor  interest,  under 


68  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

these  considerations  your  kind  Co-operation  to  aid 
my  Scheme  comes  with  peculiar  satisfaction  all  this 
time.  On  the  5*''  Current  the  Contractor  completed 
the  two  first  sections  of  the  Edifice  (Cellar  &  Base- 
ment) including  the  second  tier  of  Beams,  which  is 
one  section  or  story  more  than  we  anticipated  to  do 
this  season,  we  hope  to  finish  the  building  by  the  Spring 
of  1864  or  sooner 

Our  President  M.  P.  Jewett  returned  home  last  Sat- 
urday from  a  Professional  tour  of  a  months  absence 
among  Eastern  Colleges  &  Schools  with  reference  to 
the  Modern  improvements  of  Instruction  &c  &c  dur- 
ing which  time  he  visited  Dartmouth,  Havard,  Yale  & 
Amherst  Colleges,  Browns  University,  the  most  promi- 
nent Female  Seminaries  in  New  England  including 
Mount  Holyoke,  the  Boston  Schools  for  Girls,  the  City 
Library  &  Athenaeum  of  Boston,  the  Athenaeum  of 
Providence  and  the  Astor  Mercantile  &  N  York 
Historical  Society  &  Libraries  of  New  York.  The 
Libraries  of  Colleges  and  Literary  Societies  with  spe- 
cial reference  to  the  Library  of  V.  F.  College.  The 
Trustees  are  also  availing  themselves  of  the  advan- 
tages of  these  War  Times  to  purchase  their  Library, 
Works  of  Art,  Mineral  Cabinets  &c. 

I  send  you  per  this  days  mail  the  "  Pokeepsie  T^e- 
graph  "  in  which  you  will  find  in  its  columns  under  the 
signature  of  G.  T.  R.  criticism  upon  the  respective 
artistic  merits  of  two  Life-Size  likeness  on  Canvass 
of  your  humble  Servant,  the  first  executed  by  Charles 
L.  Elliott,  the  second  by  J.  H.  Wright  both  artist  of 
celebrity  of  the  City  of  New  York,  the  former  was 
ordered  by  our  Bord  of  Trustees  for  the  use  of  the 
College   &   Cost  $1200,  the  latter  by  myself  some 


Matthew  Vassar  69 

year  or  two  ago  and  only  finished  a  week  or  two  since. 
This  last  I  purpose  for  the  Bord  of  Trustees  of  the 
Rochester  University  of  which  I  am  a  member. 

I  am  obliged  to  Mr.  Godey  for  his  Kindness  in  send- 
ing me  the  "  Ladys  Book  "  had  I  received  it  should 
have  acknowledged  the  favor,  I  heard  from  a  friend 
that  you  had  published  an  article  on  V.  F.  C.  I  could 
not  procure  the  Number  here  at  our  Book  Stores,  but 
sent  to  N.  York  for  One.  Please  to  say  to  Mr.  Godey 
to  send  me  his  "  Book  "  as  a  regular  subscriber,  com- 
mencing with  the  October  Number,  and  for  which  I 
herewith  enclose  $3  in  Advance — the  Article  enclosed 
to  me  in  your  letter  I  have  Caused  to  be  placed  in  my 
scrap  book  with  sundry  other  articles  pertaining  to  the 
V.  F.  C. 

I  remain  &c  &c 


LETTERS   OF    1862    AND    1863 

As  the  plan  of  Vassar  develops,  Mr.  Vassar's  cor- 
respondence increases  in  interest  and  the  range  of  per- 
sons to  whom  the  letters  are  addressed  is  wider. 
James  Renwick,  Jr.,  to  whom  the  first  letter  of  this 
section  is  written,  was  the  architect  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institute  of  Washington  and  of  the  Main  building  at 
Vassar.  Samuel  Gregory  was  the  founder  of  the  New 
England  Female  Medical  College,  said  to  have  been 
the  first  medical  college  for  women  in  the  world.  Sam- 
uel Austin  Allibone  was  an  author,  bibliographer  and 
librarian.  James  Boorman,  successful  merchant  and 
president  of  the  Hudson  river  railroad,  was  a  noted 
philanthropist  of  the  time.  Ira  Harris,  a  judge  in  the 
supreme  court,  United  States  Senator  from  New  York, 
and  professor  in  the  Albany  Law  School,  was  also  one 
of  the  founders  of  Rochester  University.  Howard 
Malcolm,  a  Baptist  clergyman  until  his  voice  failed, 
then  became  president  of  various  educational  institu- 
tions, and  professor  of  metaphysics  and  moral  philoso- 
phy. Charles  A.  Raymond  was  a  clergyman,  president 
of  Chesapeake  Female  College  until  the  war,  later 
principal  of  the  Hamilton  Female  Institute,  next  a 
clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Paymaster-General  and  a 
chaplain  in  the  army.  Becoming  acquainted  with  Mr, 
Vassar  one  summer  when  he  preached  in  Poughkeepsie 
he  did  all  he  could  to  impose  his  own  ideas  of  educa 
tion  upon  the  Founder,  to  undermine  Mr.  Jewett's  posi 

tion  and  to  secure  for  himself  the  office  of  Vice-Presi 

70 


Autobiography  and  Letters  71 

dent/  Maria  Mitchell  was  the  distinguished  astrono- 
mer who  was  made  a  professor  at  Vassar.  Gilbert 
Dean  was  a  lawyer,  a  congressman  and  justice  of  the 
supreme  court  of  New  York.  Emma  Church  was  an 
artist  of  the  time  and  Eliag  Lyman  Magoon  a  Baptist 
clergyman  known  as  an  art  connoisseur  and  collector. 

In  the  letters  of  '62  and  '63  there  are  incidental 
allusions  of  vivid  interest:  to  the  niece  of  the  Founder 
who  first  turned  his  mind,  he  says  in  retrospect,  to 
the  subject  of  female  education;  to  the  tablet  to  be 
placed  over  the  front  of  the  main  building;  to  the 
growing  interest  in  the  project  that  was  bringing  scores 
of  visitors  to  the  college.  These  years  were  times  of 
increasing  difficulties  for  Mr.  Vassar  as  he  perceived 
more  clearly  the  magnitude  and  complexities  of  his 
project.  Problems  of  finance  arising  from  the  war 
times  pressed  upon  him;  anxieties  about  building  plans; 
rival  claims  of  candidates  for  appointments  in  the  new 
college;  proposed  resignations  of  trustees;  and  con- 
flicting theories  of  education.  Not  the  least  interesting 
of  the  letters  are  those  that  have  to  do  with  Mr.  Vas- 
sar's  perplexities  in  the  field  of  educational  theory: 
his  opposition  to  William  Chambers'  reactionary  views 
about  women;  his  consideration  of  Charles  Raymond's 
schemes  for  the  "  University  "  or  "  Group  "  System  of 
study;  for  a  sliding  scale  of  professors'  salaries  ad- 
justed to  their  success;  for  the  formation  of  an  art 
gallery  by  engaging  an  artist  to  copy  great  masters. 

But  through  various  discussions  and  differences,  cer- 
tain large  ideas  were  becoming  fixed  forever  in  the 
Founder's  mind:  that  the  good  health  of  the  pupils 

*  See  "  Before  Vassar  Opened  "  by  James  Monroe  Taylor,  pp.  142- 
160. 


72  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

was  a  fundamental  consideration;  that  a  college  must 
be  absolutely  non-sectarian;  and  that  with  the  exten- 
sion of  educational  opportunities  for  woman,  her  op- 
portunities for  service  must  also  be  widened. 


Ja^  Renwick,  Jr. 
Dear  Sir 


* 
Jan''.  11*^,  1862. 


I  think  the  success  of  our  College  depends  much 
upon  the  reputation  it  can  maintain  for  the  health  of 
its  Pupils — if  thro'  bad  ventilation  sickness  should 
occur  it  would  be  ascribed  by  the  public  at  Once  to  the 
unhealthy  locality  of  the  College  and  not  to  the  im- 
perfect ventilation.  Is  it  not  therefore  important  that 
we  should  at  once  determine  upon  the  best  and  im- 
proved system  before  we  advance  further  with  the 
building — what  I  could  desire  is  to  secure  a  most  per- 
fect circulation  of  pure  air  throughout  the  whole  build- 
ing and  that  its  purification  should  not  impair  its  vital 
and  invigorating  properties — Can  this  be  done?  and 
how?  thats  the  question,  and  I  want  you  to  give  the 
subject  all  the  additional  consideration  that  your  time 
will  permit,  ere  we  finally  and  fully  decide  on  our  plans 
of  heating  &  ventilating  &c.  I  have  now  before  me 
several  plans  for  warming  &  ventilating  public  build- 
ings, all  of  which  and  many  more  you  have  doubtless 
seen  as  they  come  especially  within  the  scope  of  your 
profession.  With  the  Compliments  of  this  festival 
season  and  thanks  for  your  Kindness  of  the  Card  to 
visit  the  HonV  W.  H.  Aspenwalls  Gallery 
I  remain — 


Matthew  Vassar  73 


30th  Jan''  1862. 
John  G.  White  Esq'  Albany 

Dear  Sir  It  is  an  old  proverb  that  there  is  no 

use  of  crying  over  "  Spilt  Milk  "  nor  can  that  which  is 
lacking  be  numbered  ".  I  understand  from  my  nephew 
M.  Vassar  Jr  who  has  just  returned  from  your  City 
this  morning  that  you  were  absent,  but  he  had  an  in- 
terview with  some  of  the  Directors  of  the  late  "  Bank 
of  the  Capitol  "  and  from  all  he  could  learn  there 
would  be  but  little  left  of  the  Assetts  after  paying  the 
Bill  holders  and  depositors,  consequently  our  College 
fund  of  $8,000  in  that  Bank  is  all  entirely  lost,  were 
this  my  own  or  were  it  a  corporate  property  for  pri- 
vate emoluments,  nothing  further  could  be  said  or  done 
but  quietly  submit  to  the  loss,  but  that  a  charitable  in- 
stitution for  the  poor  and  friendless  and  destitute  Or- 
phan children  should  be  thus  so  summeraly  deprived 
of  so  large  a  Sum  is  deeply  to  be  deplored,  and  I  would 
appeal  to  you  and  those  of  your  associates  in  the  late 
Bank  wether  there  is  not  any  means  whereby  that 
claim  can  be  saved  for  the  College.  God  knows  the 
Institution  has  lost  enough  by  the  cursed  Rebellion  to 
discourage  our  Trustees,  and  had  the  buildings  not 
been  commenced  would  ceased  to  have  been  built  for 
the  present.  I  do  hope  you  will  lay  this  subject  before 
the  gentlemen  having  charge  of  settling  up  the  affairs 
of  the  Bank.  I  know  Mr.  Reed,  Schuyler  and  few 
others  will  do  all  they  can  to  save  this  debt  to  our  Col- 
lege, and  I  am  now  confident  you  will  unite  your  influ- 
ence in  that  direction  as  not  One  dime  of  the  institu- 
tion inures  to  individual  benefit,  but  is  entirely  benevo- 
lent in  its  ends  and  purposes. 


74  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

May  I  not  hope  that  my  old  friend  Mr.  White  will 
write  me  soon,  and  give  me  some  encouragement  in 
the  matter  of  this  enquiry. 

I  remain 


February  5*^  1862. 
Honb'  Geo.  T.  Pierce  Albany 

Dear  Sir !  I  intended  had  my  health  permitted 

to  have  availed  myself  of  an  opportunity  of  coming 
up  to  your  City  to  have  confered  with  you  personally 
with  reference  to  an  amendment  of  the  "  Vassar  Fe- 
male College  "  Charter,  so  as  to  secure  it  from  taxa- 
tion altho'  some  of  its  friends  are  of  opinion  that  it 
is  already  exempt  under  the  Revised  Statuts  with  ref- 
erence to  Such  Cases.  I  am  perfectly  aware  that  this 
is  quite  an  unpropritious  time  to  ask  the  Legislature 
for  abatement  of  taxes,  when  the  Country  is  exercising 
all  its  energies  to  adjust  a  Schedule  of  Reverses  to  meet 
expenses  consequent  upon  this  wicked  rebellion,  yet  it 
would  seem  hardly  just  or  proper  to  tax  public  chari- 
table institutions  as  is  the  case  of  the  College  as  not 
a  dollar  of  its  income  or  its  profits  inure  to  private 
emolument  but  is  strictly  and  exclusively  a  charitable 
in  all  its  operations,  as  every  dollar  of  its  income  after 
paying  expenses  of  its  conductment  goes  to  the  gratu- 
tious  Education  of  beneficiaries — moreover  the  Col- 
lege fund  ($408000)  has  suffered  quite  a  reduction  by 
the  depreciation  of  its  assets  consequent  upon  the  war 
of  full  33^  of  its  Capital,  add  to  which  fact  that  the 
Trustees  had  made  the  Contract  for  the  building  be- 
fore the  Rebellion  broke  out  and  consequently  have 
been  obliged  to  proceed  with  their  work,  and  dispose 


Matthew  Vassar  75 

of  the  funds  at  great  reduction  from  par  Value  so  that 
in  every  view  of  the  case  it  would  seem  just  &  proper 
that  the  College  should  be  exempt  from  all  taxation  of 
every  kind  &  nature.  Mr  Swan  has  doubtless  stated 
all  this  matter  fully  to  you  and  therefore  will  not  en- 
large further  on  the  subject. 

respectfully 


February  14**"  1862 
Sam^  Gregory  M  D.  Sec:  N.  E.  Female  Med.  College 
Boston 
Dear  Sir  Refering  to  my  brief  note  of  the  9*'' 

I  have  now  to  acknowledge  Copies  of  yours  S^''  and 
12""  annual  Reports  of  the  New  England  Female 
Med.  College  also  Letter  to  ladies  in  favor  of  Female 
Physician  &c  all  of  which  I  have  perused  with  satisfac- 
tion and  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  find  that  my  views  on 
the  subject  of  which  they  treat  are  so  much  in  har- 
mony with  your  published  Sentiments.  It  is  a  little 
remarkable  that  in  this  enlightened  erea  how  the  hu- 
man mind  is  trammled  with  old  prejudices,  and  all 
efforts  in  a  wide  Step  at  progress  denounced  as  fanati- 
cal. Job  was  about  right  when  he  told  his  poor  com- 
forters "  that  no  doubt  wisdom  would  die  with  them. 
Is  there  any  good  reason  why  female  should  not  re- 
ceive as  high  a  standard  of  mental  Culture  in  certain 
departments  of  Knowledge  as  males  enjoy,  nothing  but 
prejudice  and  Custom  as  you  justly  observe  hinder  this 
— Woman  is  capable  of  higher  elevation  in  these 
spheres  than  the  notions  of  Society  has  hitherto  tol- 
erated, and  these  deprivations  are  resulting  in  her  deg- 
redation  especially  in  our  large  cities  which  have  drawn 


76  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

within  their  vortex  so  many  thousands  of  young  intelli- 
gant  females  seeking  honorable  employments. 

Is  It  not  cruel  therefore  to  Impose  a  large  share  of 
intelligence  upon  any  class,  and  then  deny  them  the 
posibility  of  its  practical  benefits — does  it  not  aggra- 
vate their  condition  "  If  ignorance  Is  bliss  It  were  folly 
to  be  wise  ",  Knowledge  must  have  its  appropriate 
aliment  to  subsist  upon.  Woman  in  the  sphere  of 
medical  practise  especialy  among  her  own  sex  is  a 
happy  idea  and  ought  not  to  be  denied  to  her,  and  I 
fondly  hope  to  live  to  see  the  day  when  she  will  occupy 
also  a  place  in  the  refined  arts  and  professions  suited 
to  her  capacities  and  moral  dellcasy  as  some  of  her 
sex  are  enjoying  in  the  literary  world. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  the  Trustees  of  the  V.  F. 
College  to  establish  a  medical  Professorship  but  some 
arrangements  will  be  provided  for  Pupils  who  wishes 
to  become  practitionery  in  that  department  of  Study. 
I  congratulate  you  as  one  of  the  early  pioneers  in  this 
line  of  human  progress  and  hope  your  valuable  life 
will  be  spared  to  see  your  object  secured  and  its  bene- 
ficance  universally  acknowledged. 

With  much  respect, 


February  15*'*  1862. 
Professor  Jewett 
Dear  Sir 
Since    our    last    interview    I    have    been    consid- 
ering the  matter  of  your  visit  to  Europe   and  how 
far  the  College  interest  could  be  promoted  thereby, 
and  how  far  our  Bord  of  Trustees  would  be  willing  to 
bear  a  part  of  your  Expenses.    Without  any  further 


Matthew  Vassar  77 

capacity  to  judge  of  the  advantages  to  be  derived  by- 
such  a  visit  than  I  now  possess,  and  especially  in  view 
of  the  Bord  of  Trustees  willingness  to  extend  its  aid 
to  Professor  Fisher  for  a  similar  object,  is  there  not 
some  fear  that  both  might  be  defeated.  All  such  in- 
cidental benefits  as  above  referred,  would  be  of  little 
advantage  unless  the  Corporation  have  funds  sufficient 
to  erect  their  College  buildings  &  complete  its  in- 
ternal arrangements, — failing  in  these  would  result  in 
much  greater  damage  to  the  Institution  than  the  failure 
of  any  one  intuitional  department,  and  had  I  not  al- 
ready suffered  so  much  in  my  own  pecuniairy  affairs, 
and  my  health  was  sufficiently  good  to  give  to  it  the 
most  perfect  supervision,  I  would  not  only  advise  the 
trip  but  be  willing  to  defray  all  extra  expenses.  My 
maxim  in  all  human  policys  is  viz:  whatever  you  do, 
do  well — if  it  is  to  cut  off  a  limb,  do  it  quickly  & 
thoroughly  taking  not  more  time  &  no  less  of  it  than 
is  necessary  for  the  health  and  good  of  the  patient,  so 
with  our  College,  if  once  completed  and  handsomely 
furnished.  Our  grounds  tastely  &  nicely  laid  out,  we 
can  then  move  forward,  slowly  perhaps,  but  neverthe- 
less more  safely,  as  is  the  laws  of  the  natural  world,  ra- 
pidity of  growth  always  presension  rapidity  of  decay — 
however  laying  aside  these  methaphysically  illustrations 
— I  am  perfectly  willing  to  afford  you  the  opportunity 
to  make  the  visit  and  for  keeping  up  your  Salary  during 
your  absence  and  I  cannot  but  think  that  It  would  re- 
dound greatly  to  your  advantage  if  you  would  thus 
signify  to  the  Bord  your  willingness  to  avail  yourself 
of  so  noble  expression  of  your  generosity  by  bearing 
your  own  expenses — if  they  would  continue  your  Sal- 
ary. Yours  truly 


78  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


March  5*^^  1862. 
Honb^  John  Thompson  Pokeepsle 

Dear  Sir 
Through  a  kind  intimation  from  you  at  the  late  meet- 
ing of  our  Trustees,  I  understood  that  some  of  your 
generous  and  public  spirited  friends  have  the  Control 
of  a  valuable  Collection  of  Minerals,  which  they  may 
think  proper  to  dedicate  to  the  service  of  the  Com- 
munity. Permit  me  to  suggest,  there  is  no  way  in 
which  the  present  proprietors  can  confer  such  distin- 
guished honor  on  the  memory  of  the  deceased  Collector 
and  owner  of  the  Collection;  no  way  by  which  they  can 
gijye  such  substantial  benefits  to  the  public  at  large,  not 
only  for  the  present  time,  but  for  all  future  genera- 
tions, as  to  present  the  Collection  to  the  "  Vassar  Fe- 
male College  "  an  institution  which  it  is  reasonable  to 
expect,  will  attract  Students  and  patrons  and  visitors 
from  all  parts  of  our  whole  united  and  extended  Coun- 
try and  even  foreign  lands.  The  surviving  friends 
can  build  no  prouder  monument  to  science  and  intelli- 
gence of  their  departed  relatives.  Can  give  no  higher 
proof  of  their  own  enlightened  and  liberal  views.  If 
the  donation  shall  be  made  to  Vassar  College,  I  pledge 
myself  as  follows: 

i'*'  It  shall  have  a  conspicous  place  by  itself  in 
the  mineralogical  Department 

2.  The  name  of  the  Collector  and  late  Proprietors 
with  that  of  the  benevolent  Donor  of  the  College, 
shall  be  displayed  in  letters  of  gold  over  the  Col- 
lection. 

Feeling  assured  that  you  will   appreciate  the  im- 


Matthew  Vassar  79 


portance  of  the  Suggestions,  and  that  you  will  be  most 

happy  to  use  your  influence  in  carrying  them  into  effect 

I  am  truly        Yours  &c 


March  7**^  1862. 
Ja^  Renwick  Jr.  New  York 

My  dear  Sir,  Your  favor  of  the  4"  Inst,  is  at 

hand  and  notice  your  several  remarks,  comments  &c 
&c  especially  with  regard  to  the  policy  of  roofing  the 
College  Building  the  ensuing  season  and  I  have  only 
to  repeat  what  I  have  before  expressed  that  it  is  my 
advise  so  to  shape  all  our  arrangements  to  accomplish 
that  end  if  possible  well  knowing  it  will  Inure  not  only 
to  the  best  good  of  the  Edifice  but  to  the  pecunlalry 
interest  of  the  College  funds, — when  a  vessel  is  half 
across  the  ocean  with  a  fair  wind,  altho'  In  a  leaky  con- 
dition, It  Is  better  to  stear  for  her  the  first  port  than 
to  stand  still  or  return  back  for  repairs.  I  am  there- 
fore for  going  onwards  with  all  that  energy  as  pru- 
dence will  admit,  so  as  to  open  the  institution  at  an 
early  day  as  possible  &  thus  change  Outlays  for  In- 
come. You  will  have  doubtless  seen  Prof  Jewett  this 
week  ere  you  left  today  for  Washington.  You  had 
better  come  up  next  monday,  when  we  can  talk  over 
matters  with  our  joint  Committees. 

Yours  &c 


March  15*''  1862. 
Rev*^.  Hiram  Meade  South  Hadley  Mass. 

Rev^  and  dear  Sir 
Being  informed  by  President  Jewett  of  the  deep 
Interest  In  our  educational  enterprise  manifested  by 


8o  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

yourself  and  the  Teachers  of  the  Mount  Holyoke  Fe- 
male Seminary,  and  of  the  kindness  and  courtesy  with 
which  he  was  treated  on  the  occasion  of  his  late  visit 
to  your  institution,  I  take  the  liberty  to  express  my 
grateful  appreciation  of  your  christian  Catholic  Spirit 
by  forwarding  the  accompanying  volumns  as  a  dona- 
tion to  the  Library  of  your  Seminary.  With  high  ad- 
miration of  the  noble  aims  and  distinguished  success 
of  your  institution  I  am  dear  sir 

Very  respectfully 


I  Copy  of  Milman's  Latin  Christianity  half 

Calf  antique  dark  $i6 

I  Copy  of  Macaulay's  Essays  half  Morocco 

gilt  $12.00 

marked  Hiram  Mead 

South  Hadley,  Mass.    Secretary  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  M*  Holyoke  Female 

Seminary 


March  15*''  1862. 
To  the  Messr.  Vassar  Families  that  now  may  be  living 
in   East  Tuddingham   or   other  parts   of   the 
County  of  Norfolk  England. 
Dear  Relatives 
The  bearer  Professor  Milo.  P.  Jewett,  President  of 
the  Vassar  Female  College,  now  in  process  of  construc- 
tion visits  Europe  on  a  professional  tour  in  behalf  of 
the  Corporators  of  the  above  named  Institution  and 
especially  England  and  Scotland  and  is  desirous  to  see 
the  native  town  and  borough  where  the  founder  (the 


Matthew  Vassar  8i 

undersigned)  was  born,  and  if  the  Old  Homestead  is 
still  standing,  to  make  or  cause  to  be  made  some  pencil 
Sketches  of  the  premises  for  the  purposes  of  Photo- 
graphing it,  to  be  placed  among  the  archives  of  the 
College. 

Any  services  or  facilities  you  can  conveniently  ren- 
der to  President  Jewett  will  be  regarded  as  a  particu- 
lar favor  by  your  relative  and 

Most  obed.  humble  serv. 


March  25*^  1862. 
A.  J.  Drexel  Esq'       Banker  Philadelphia 

Dear  sir 

At  the  suggestion  of  George  W.  Childs  Esq.,  I  take 
the  liberty  to  forward  you  a  pamphlet  containing  the 
proceedings  of  the  First  Meeting  of  the  Trustees  of 
Vassar  Female  College. 

I  trust  you  will  find  these  proceedings  not  devoid  of 
interest  to  an  intelligent  and  generous  mind,  fully  ap- 
preciating the  importance  of  educating  the  mothers  of 
coming  generations. 

You  will  perceive,  I  have  not  followed  the  example 
of  your  townsman,  Stephen  Girard;  I  prefer  to  be  my 
own  executor  and  see  my  money  faithfully  and  judi- 
ciously expended  under  own  eye.  If  God  please  to 
spare  my  life,  I  hope  to  witness  great  &  blessed  re- 
sults, flowing  from  these  investments.  Permit  me  to 
express  the  desire,  that  others  in  your  great  Metrop- 
olis possessing  liberal  means  may  have  hearts  of  large 
benevolence. 

With  much  respect 


82  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


March  26"  1862 
Honb'  James  Boorman  Washington  Square  New  York 
My  very  dear  friend 

I  am  this  morning  in  receipt  of  your  Kind  favor  of 
the  22**  Current  and  do  not  know  which  to  admire 
most, — the  steady  unfaltering  hand  which  wielded  the 
pen  or  the  vigorous  mind  that  directed  it.  At  all  events 
there  is  evidence  of  one  fact — that  age  nor  infirmities 
have  made  but  slight  impressions  upon  either.  Wav- 
ing further  preliminarys  of  introduction,  allow  me  to 
say,  that  I  price  your  suggestions  in  the  matter  of 
Stock  Investments  very  highly  and  shall  not  be  in 
haste  to  part  with  mine  or  the  College  H.  R.  R.  Bonds 
seeing  you  still  hold  no  less  on  your  account  than  45000 
dollars  in  the  latter, — true  as  you  justly  remark  "  Our 
Confidence  is  greatly  shaken  in  all  human  Securities  by 
the  destitution  of  moral  principles  in  those  we  have 
confided,  but  then  the  absence  of  any  virtue  proves 
that  it  does  exist  Somewhere,  let  us  hope  therefore 
for  the  best. 

It  was  a  singular  coincidence  that  your  old  friend 
Peter  Cooper  Esq'  should  happen  just  the  time  to  be 
talking  over  the  reminiscences  of  past  years  and  that 
on  the  very  evening  previous,  and  more  especially 
should  have  occasion  to  allude  to  the  trifling  incident 
of  selling  me  a  "  Woolen  Shearing  Machine  "  as  my 
thoughts  had  just  then  been  rambulating  over  that 
period  of  my  life.  The  fact  was,  that  it  was  my  brother 
in  Law  Geo  Booth  an  engllsh  manufacturer  residing 
in  Pokeepsie  whom  negotiated  for  the  Machine,  but  as 
I  was  interested  in  the  Establishment  I  paid  Mr 
Cooper  for  it.     Booth  was  the  first  man  that  up  a 


Matthew  Vassar  83 

Woolen  Carding  Machine  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
*'  Slater  "  of  Providence  R  I.  was  the  first  to  put  up 
one  in  America.  I  think  this  was  about  the  year  (I 
may  be  mistaken  in  the  precise  date)  of  the  great 
Eclipse  of  the  Sun  1806).  So  far  at  least  you  were 
right  that  I  was  devoted  to  clothing  "  Outward  Man  " 
but  my  chief  business  for  most  part  of  my  life  was 
with  "  John  Barley  "-Corn  by  Joe  John  "  and  now 
in  my  latter  days  am  striving  to  enlarge  the  facilities 
of  the  Moral  and  intellectual  man  "  and  only  regret 
I  did  not  begin  my  work  sooner.  I  trust  however  that 
the  Cistern  will  not  break  nor  the  fountain  be  dry  " 
untill  I  have  accomplished  my  plans  &  purposes  on 
earth.  It  is  as  you  justly  remark  "  a  melancholy  re- 
flection to  look  over  our  distressed  Country,  what  a 
sad  commentory  upon  human  wisdom,  what  immeas- 
urable depths  of  misery  have  a  few  months  of  this  Re- 
bellion entailed  upon  this  once  happy  land  my  heart 
feels  sad  in  its  contemplation  and  where  it  not  for  the 
truth  that  the  "  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth " 
should  soon  be  discouraged.  You  have  been  pleased 
to  allude  Cojointly  to  Mr.  Cooper  and  yourself  and  as- 
sociated my  name  with  you  in  trying  to  do  something 
for  the  good  of  posterity.  Mr.  Girard  left  a  fund  of 
$2,000,000  of  which  portion  (perhaps  say  2  to  300,- 
000  he  would  have  deemed  sufficient)  was  to  be  used 
for  the  erection  of  a  plain  substantial  building  void  of 
ornament "  the  interest  of  the  ballance  was  to  support 
the  Institution.  All  but  8,000  dollars  of  the  principal 
(  :i  e:$i,992,ooo)  was  spent  in  the  erection  of  a  splen- 
did palace  and  out  buildings  (and  this  item  of  Expense 
has  since  been  Increased)  fortunately  for  his  design  he 
bequeathed  all  of  his  Estate  that  might  be  needed  for 


84  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

its  Execution.  In  the  Peabody  Institution  at  Baltimore 
vast  Sums  have  been  expended  in  buildings  which  could 
(I  think)  been  better  used.  What  a  Contrast  this  with 
Coopers  benevolence  (see  Sec^^  Henrys  Report  of  the 
Smithsonian  institution  just  published.  The  Smith- 
sonian Institution  at  the  City  of  Washington  which 
was  established  for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  is  not  a  na- 
tional Institution  as  many  suppose,  but  the  Government 
Is  merely  a  Trustee  to  carry  out  the  design  of  the  Testa- 
tor. The  amount  of  that  Bequest  was  (I  think)  some 
half  a  Million  of  dollars.  It  holds  perhaps  from  1/3 
to  1/2  of  its  funds  In  Southern  State  Stocks,  how  much 
of  It  will  be  realised  time  can  only  determine.  John 
Lowell  Jr  of  Boston  profiting  by  the  Errors  of  others, 
directed  that  not  a  dollar  should  be  Invested  In  '  Bricks 
and  Mortar '  of  his  bequest,  consequently  the  Capital 
remains  to  afford  a  large  Income,  and  rooms  are  hired 
for  Lectures, — but  I  will  not  tax  your  patience  any 
longer.  Should  you  be  visiting  Po !  I  should  be  happy 
to  have  you  call  and  see  me,  as  much  so  as  a  sovereign 
Known  as  a  Sovereign. 

Your  most  obed  Se 


March  26"  1862. 
ly  S.  Austin  Alllbone,  care  of  Geo  W.   Childs  628 
and  630  Chestnut  St.  Philadelphia. 
My  very  dear  Sir 
I  were  just  duly  in  receipt  of  your  Kind  letter  of  the 
21**  Inst,  with  enclosures,  and  If  there  Is  any  one  thing 
more  than  others  to  encourage  my  hands  and  heart  in 
the  enterprise  that  I  have  so  long  cherished  and  have 
now  begun  to  execute  the  Vassar  Female  College  It  is 


Matthew  Vassar  85 

just  such  generous  heartfelt  responses  of  approval 
from  gentlemen  holding  such  position  in  life  as  your- 
self. I  cannot  express  to  you  how  happy  it  makes  me 
to  receive  such  high  testimonials  of  my  poor  efforts 
in  behalf  of  humanity,  and  I  beg  your  fellowship  at 
the  throne  of  Grace  that  all  things  will  work  together 
for  its  full  and  final  completion. 

It  is  a  sad  commentary  upon  the  Wisdom  of  man  to 
witness  such  wasteful  prodigalities  of  Estates  like 
Gerards  &  others  so  ruinously  misapplied  &  lost, 
and  if  there  is  any  one  fact  that  will  impress  our 
wealthy  citizens  to  become  their  own  Executors  it  will 
be  such  examples  as  you  have  cited.  Refering  to  your 
enclosed  article  "  Robert  Chambers  in  America "  I 
have  carefully  perused  the  paper.  William  Chambers 
I  have  had  the  honor  of  a  short  acquaintance  as  well  as 
of  some  correspondence  (1858)  before  I  commenced 
my  College,  but  it  so  happened  he  afforded  me  but 
little  encouragement,  and  he  took  the  pains  after  his 
return  to  Scotland  to  have  his  reasons  put  in  type,  like 
your  "  Cut  me  off  and  pass  me  round  "  and  among 
other  prospectus  enclosed  of  Scottish  institutions  for 
the  Education  of  young  ladies,  one  in  "  Moray  Place  " 
Edingburgh  he  says  was  a  sample — ^pupils  numbering 
about  120 — but  it  did  not  succeed  well,  and  then  asks 
would  it  not  be  well  for  me  to  consider  whether  any 
gigantic  Collegiate  Establishment  would  not  be  liable 
to  fall  into  the  common  Error!  but  I  will  quote  the 
whole  of  the  second  paragraph  of  this  letter. 

"  The  plan  of  boarding  and  educating  young  per- 
*'  sons  of  either  Sex  in  large  benificiary  establish- 
"  ments  has  latterly  attracted  much  serious  con- 
"  sideration   in  Edingburgh,    which   possesses   a 


86  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

"  number  of  institutions  of  this  nature.  The  more 
"  closely  the  working  of  these  institutions  has 
"  been  examined,  the  less  reason  is  there  to  be 
"  satisfied  with  the  principle  of  seclusion  inherent 
"  in  their  arrangements  and  it  is  now  a  pretty 
"  general  belief  that  it  would  be  a  blessing  to  the 
"  Country  if  they  were  all  abolished,  and  their 
"  funds  appropriated  to  general  purposes  of  edu- 
"  cation.  Such  being  the  case,  the  proposal  to 
"  establish,  somewhere  in  the  United  States,  an 
"  Establishment  for  the  board  and  education  of  as 
"  many  as  5  or  600  girls,  fills  one  with  astonish- 
"  ment  and  consternation.  Let  me  endeavour  to 
"  point  out  briefly  the  defects  to  which  all  such 
"  establishments  must  necessarily  be  subject  "  He 
then  proceeds  to  give  his  reasons,  but  being  too  lengthly 
to  transcribe  in  this  letter,  I  must  omit  them. 

You  have  been  pleased  to  allude  to  your  making  a 
Visit  to  Poughkeepsie  which  I  sincerely  hope  you  will, 
I  should  be  happy  to  have  you  call  upon  me — my 
health  is  somewhat  feeble  but  hope  to  improve  as  the 
warm  season  advance. 

I  remain,  &c 
PS.     I  return  you  the  Slip  cut  from  the  "  American 
and  Gazette"  of  22^  Sepf  i86o  as  per  request.     I 
should  however  liked  to  retain  it  as  it  is  a  better  ac- 
count of  the  Chambers,  than  I  have  seen  published. 


* 
March  31'*  1862. 
Js.  Renwick  Jr.  New  York 

Dear  Sir  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Executive  Bord 

of  the  V.  F.  College  this  morning  it  was  suggested 


Matthew  Vassar  87 

that  you  inform  me  at  an  early  day,  what  materials 
and  size  you  would  propose  for  the  Tablet  over  the 
Front  Centre  Entrance,  whether  in  Marble  or  granite, 
whether  the  Letters  be  raised  or  sunk,  thus : 

ERECTED  A  D  1864 
MATTHEW  VASSAR  FOUNDER 

The  inside  Tablet  on  Front  Hall  main  Centre  En- 
trance to  be  of  pure  white  marble — on  one  side  the 
names  of  the  Trustees,  on  the  other  Side  Architect  and 
Builder  with  the  round  Cost  of  $200,000 

Over  the  Centre  Front  Entrance  would  be  placed  a 
Tablet  of  Granite  Stone,  with  Sunken  letters  & 
Guilded. 

VASSAR   FEMALE   COLLEGE. 

if  you  have  any  other  Suggestions  to  make,  please  to 
state  in  your  reply.  Yours  truly 

P.  S  The  Sketch  of  the  College  Office  Is  received, 
but  no  action  taken  upon  It  today. 


* 

April  11*^  1862. 
Js.  Renwick  Jr. 

Dear  Sir  I  am  this  morning  in  receipt  of  your 
favor  of  yesterday,  and  notice  your  suggestions  con- 
cerning the  kind  of  materials  to  be  used  for  the  Tablets 
in  Zinck,  this  is  a  new  idea,  and  it  strikes  me  favor- 
ably. By  refering  to  my  note  of  last  Evening  you  will 
find  the  different  Estimates  for  Granite,  Italian  Marble 
&c  but  I  am  not  sure  but  Zinc  would  be  preferable 
to  any  other  materials.    It  is  always  safe  to  follow  the 


88  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

footprints  of  experience.  You  say  Zinc  is  entirely 
used  in  France  &  Belgium  for  exterior  metallic  dec- 
orations! why  not  then  should  we  not  adopt  it?  how- 
ever let  us  ascertain  the  difference  of  Cost  between 
the  different  materials  &  then  we  can  decide  with 
better  power  of  judgment  &c  Harloe  has  uncovered 
the  College  walls,  and  commenced  laying  bricks.  My 
time  in  the  Office  have  been  more  than  usually  em- 
ployed since  our  Professor  Jewett  sailed  for  Europe. 
I  do  hope  that  the  cold  windy  season  is  now  past  and 
that  we  will  have  an  early  spring  as  Mr.  Harloe  will 
require  a  long  favorable  building  Season  to  roof  the 
College  ere  the  Snow  &  frost  of  next  fall  sets  in.  I 
send  to  your  address  per  Mail  this  P.  M.  a  Copy 
of  the  Am.  Journal  of  Education,  in  the  pages  52,  53, 
54,  55  and  s^  you  will  find  a  brief  synopsis  of  my 
early  life  &c,  on  Frontpiece  an  engraved  likeness  of 
your  humble  Servant  by  W.  Wright  Smith  Boston.  I 
regret  to  see  so  poor  a  print  of  our  College  Edifice. 
The  printer  and  not  the  Wood  Cut  was  in  fault.  Please 
to  let  the  Professor,  your  honored  father,  see  this 
number.  Other  matters  have  crawled  out  of  mind 
(for  the  present  at  least)  the  Office  project;  will  take 
it  up  soon  again.  As  we  began  our  College  building 
at  the  beginning  of  the  american  Rebellion,  it  would  be 
quite  significant  incident  if  it  should  be  finished  at  its 
close  "  Historical  Emblems  of  Peace  and  War  A  D 
1862. 

Yours  very  truly 
P  S.  You  had  better  come  up  on  Monday 


Matthew  Vassar  89 


April  24"  1862 
Honb^  Ira  Harris. 

Dear  Sir  My  delay  to  acknowledge  your  Kind- 
ness in  sending  me  the  public  documents  is  not  the  less 
appreciated  by  that  circumstance. 

The  Smithsonian  Report  of  i860  and  the  Colorado 
Exploring  Expedition  &c  came  to  hand  by  due  course 
of  mail,  and  yesterday  I  received  a  Second  Smith- 
sonian Number  of  i860  which  was  also  under  your 
signature  upon  the  rapper.  These  publications  will  be 
very  useful  additions  to  our  V.  F.  C.  Library.  We  are 
availing  ourselves  of  these  peculiair  times  to  buy  scarce 
and  valuable  works,  and  for  that  object  have  set  apart 
a  fund  and  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  Special  Book 
Agents  in  New  York  and  Boston. 

Our  President  M.  P.  Jewett  was  also  provided  with 
some  Moneys  to  purchase  rare  works  in  Europe  if  of- 
fered at  very  low  prices. 

We  are  progressing  finely  with  the  College  build- 
ing, shall  have  it  roofed  in  the  present  building  sea- 
son say  by  the  ist  Decbr  and  notwithstanding  the  de- 
plorable Rebellion  so  depressing  to  all  stock  Security^ 
we  hope  to  escape  without  any  very  serious  loss  and 
to  finish  the  Edifice  within  the  time  contracted  for 
viz:  I  June  1864. 

We  are  daily  receiving  letters  from  distinguished 
individuals  commendating  our  enterprise,  and  within 
a  few  days,  the  following  among  others  Professor  Wm. 
H.  Allen  LLD  President  of  Gerard  College 

Professor  Coppie  University  of  Pennsylvania 

Honb^  Alex:  Henry,        Mayor  of  Philadelphia 


90  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Jas.  J.  Barclay  Esqr         Athenaeum 

A.  J.  Drexel  Banker 

S.  J.  Dreer  ditto 

Professor  IngersoU  LLD 

Geo.  W.  Childs  Publisher  &c  &c  &c 

I  allude  to  these  facts  to  show  in  what  Estimation  our 
Female  College  is  regarded  by  the  public. 

I  shall  be  pleased  to  hear  from  you  whenever  you 
can  spare  a  moment  from  your  pressing  pubhc  engage- 
ments. 

Yours  very  truly. 


May  1 6"  1862. 
Rev^  Howard  Malcolm  D  D  Leverington  Pa. 
My  very  dear  friend 
This  is  truly  an  age  of  Wonders  and  you  have  con- 
tributed to  the  Stock.  I  had  almost  given  up  ever 
hearing  from  you  direct,  indirectly  I  have  several  times 
since  we  met  some  year  or  thereabout  ago,  when  you 
officiated  so  conspicuously  with  me  in  the  Breaking  of 
Ground  for  our  College,  were  you  present  with  me 
now,  you  would  scarcely  realise  the  amount  of  mate- 
rials piled  up  upon  that  spot.  We  are  about  ready 
for  the  3*^  tier  of  beams,  but  I  decline  saying  more  on 
this  point  for  I  want  you  to  come  &  see  for  yourself; 
if  you  would,  the  Society  for  gathering  musty  old 
books,  &c  would  be  put  into  the  Shades.  By  the  bye, 
I  have  quite  a  lot  of  Old  books.  Magazines,  pamphlets 
which  I  will  contribute  to  your  Wonderful  Historical 
Society  which  I  can  better  spare  than  money,  for  this 
terrible  Rebellion  have  swept  away  a  large  amount  of 


Matthew  Vassar  91 

my  Income,  however  I  will  place  my  name  among  your 
collections  in  some  way  soon 

I  send  you  by  this  day  mail  the  March  Number  of 
the  American  Journal  of  Education,  where  you  will 
find  a  steel  plate  engraving  Likeness  of  your  humble 
Servant,  with  a  brief  Outline  of  his  early  history  with 
a  short  Statement  made  by  me  on  the  occasion  of  the 
endowment  by  the  V.  F,  College  in  February  1861. 

Our  friends  Mess""  Jewett  &  Brackett  have  safely 
landed  the  other  Side  of  the  Water  and  are  receiving 
letters  from  them  frequently. 

Yours  in  haste 


June  11"  1862. 
James  Renwick  Jr.  Esq"" 

Dear  Sir  I  was  out  to  the  College  yesterday  but 
did  not  see  either  Harloe  or  DuBois  but  /  did  see 
somethings  which  I  thought  not  exactly  up  to  the  spirit 
if  not  the  letter  of  our  contract  viz :  I  do  not  think  that 
"  Donnelly "  is  sufficiently  particular  with  his  brick- 
layers, they  do  not  fill  up  the  intertices  of  the  brick- 
work with  mortar  to  insure  a  strong  wall.  Secondly, 
I  find  that  the  window  frames  are  being  put  in  without 
being  painted.  Thirdly  They  continue  occasionally 
3/4  quarter  front  coarse  brick  notwithstanding  your 
caution  to  Donnely.  Now  I  know  you  are  not  dis- 
posed to  have  any  work  or  materials  in  the  building 
falling  short  of  the  Contract,  nor  do  I  believe  it  is  M"" 
Harloe^  wish,  but  It  is  rather  the  results  of  careless- 
ness on  the  part  of  the  workmen,  and  I  mention  these 
facts  not  In  the  spirit  of  Captioness  or  fault  finding  but 
with  a  desire  to  avoid  any  formal  cause  of  complaint 


92  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

which  such  defects  might  ultimately  result  in  viz :  still 
larger  innovations  of  our  agreement,  but  the  main 
object  of  this  note  is  to  request  that  you  would  bring 
up  the  Plan  of  the  Gate  House  when  you  next  time 
visit  Po — I  think  we  ought  to  build  the  Lodge  this 
Summer  especially  if  Harloe  can  do  it. 

It  is  a  little  remarkable  how  the  Litterary  worlds 
attention  is  drawn  to  our  Enterprise  these  tumultous 
war  times,  but  such  is  the  fact,  I  am  almost  daily  in 
receipt  of  Communications  from  all  parts  of  the 
Northern  States  making  enquiries  about  our  Institution 
when  it  will  be  opened  for  the  reception  of  Pupils  &c  &c 
&c.  Thus  you  see  we  are  quite  a  "  Star "  in  these 
calamitous  times.  A  gentleman  of  some  notoriety 
called  upon  me  yesterday  from  Washington  DC.  mak- 
ing enquiries  &  is  going  out  to  day  to  see  the  grounds 
&  buildings.  Yours  truly 


Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  July  8*^  1862. 
M".  Angelina  G.  Weld, 
Dear  Madame ! 
Your  extremely  interesting  and  intelligent  letter  of 
the  15*''  inst.  came  duly  to  hand,  and  it  is  truly  grati- 
fying and  refreshing  to  ones  feelings  amidst  the  de- 
plorable sad  times  upon  which  our  beloved  country  has 
fallen  to  discover  such  noble  instances  in  your  sex  ap- 
preciating and  encouraging  our  hands  and  hearts  in 
the  establishment  of  an  Institution  for  their  own  special 
elevation  &c.    I  am  no  monomaniac  nor  enthusiast  who 
by  dwelling  long  on  a  single  idea  have  arrived  at  cer- 
tain results,  for  most  part  of  a  long  life  (now  passed 
three  score  and  ten  years)   I  have  spent  in  business 


Matthew  Vassar  93 


pursuits  and  while  thus  engaged,  especially  in  the  lat- 
ter part,  I  were  providentialy  lead  to  the  reflection  & 
consideration  of  Female  Education,  in  the  first  in- 
stance through  a  niece  of  mine  whom  God  in  his  Provi- 
dence had  left  Fatherless  and  destitute  of  means  for 
support;  and  thus  obliged  in  early  life  to  seek  employ- 
ment for  a  livelihood  among  strangers  far  away  from 
her  native  home  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State  of 
Virginia,  for  several  years  she  devoted  herself  in 
teaching  in  a  private  Gentlemens  family,  subsequently 
returned  to  Po'keepsie  and  opened  a  Female  Seminary 
in  this  city — ^This  I  had  almost  said  was  the  first  In- 
stitution of  the  kind  North  of  the  Highlands  on  the 
Hudson  River,  and  now  at  the  present  moment  num- 
bering some  half  dozen  or  more  well  supported  Female 
Institutions;  this  dear  Niece  several  years  since  de- 
parted this  life  in  the  full  hope  of  a  blessed  immor- 
tality. I  am  lead  to  trouble  you  with  these  thoughts 
from  the  consideration  that  the  introductery  portion 
of  your  note  before  me  speak  of  your  early  life  much 
in  unison  of  my  Niece's  history — she  also  was  "  tempted 
to  live  a  fashionable  &  frivolaus  life  ",  she  found  edu- 
cation too  at  a  low  grade  in  Virginia  and  rejoiced  to 
return  once  again  to  her  friends  at  the  North,  and 
sought  a  position  where  she  could  be  a  blessing  to  her 
Sex  and  to  the  world. 

How  wonderfull  are  the  ways  of  Providence,  what 
little  incidents  turn  the  whole  spheres  of  human  desti- 
nies. As  It  regarded  myself  I  know  nothing  nor 
thought  nothing  about  education,  having  been  born  in 
a  Country  or  a  portion  of  it  where  the  parents  as  a 
general  thing  considered  it  only  a  Waste  of  time,  and 
money  to  impart  it,  but  to  save  further  detail  in  this 


94  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

letter  I  send  you  per  this  days  mail  the  March  num- 
ber of  the  "  American  Journal  of  Education  "  where 
you  will  find  a  very  brief  sketch  of  my  early  history. 
You  have  been  pleased  to  refer  so  kindly  to  the  great 
work  I  have  undertaken  infusing  your  own  inspirations 
and  prayers  for  its  successfull  issue.  In  regard  to  your 
friend  Miss  Lucia  E.  Sheppard,  I  shall  cause  her  name 
to  be  registered  (on  the  Books  of  applicants)  in  the 
Institution  to  be  referred  to  again  on  the  return  of  our 
President  from  Europe  and  shall  do  all  in  my  power 
to  serve  you  and  her  in  your  united  wishes. 

Allow  me  Mrs.  W — in  parting  to  add,  that,  I  thank 
you  most  cordialy  and  kindly  in  all  the  deepest  sin- 
cerety  of  my  heart  for  the  high  testimony  of  appre- 
ciations in  which  you  hold  and  speak  of  the  V.  F.  C. 
enterprize  etc.  and  do  desire  your  earnest  and  devout 
participations  with  me  at  the  Throne  of  Grace  that 
this  beneficent  work  for  the  elevation  of  woman  may 
be  crowned  with  the  blessings  of  God  for  its  successfull 
Issue  etc. 

I  remain  very  Respectfully 

Yours  etc. 

M.  Vassar. 


July  30*''  1862. 
Rev"*  Charles  Raymond 

My  dear  friend.  I  thank  you  very  Kindly  for 
your  valued  favor  of  the  15*^  current.  Your  sugges- 
tions concerning  the  plan  of  organization  of  officials 
in  the  V.  F.  College  are  deserving  much  attention  and 
the  more  I  have  reflected  and  studied  them  the  more 


Matthew  Vassar  95 

they  have  commended  themselves  to  my  judgment  and 
approbation  &c 

I  now  specially  allude  to  the  Office  of  Vice  President, 
but  hope  that  the  discussion  of  this  question  or  any 
other  between  you  and  me  on  the  subject  of  the  or- 
ganization of  the  College  or  its  discipline,  may  be  ex- 
amined and  freely  discussed  independent  of  any  sinister 
motives,  and  candor  impels  me  to  say  and  acknowledge 
that  thus  far  you  have  evinced  the  utmost  impartiality 
and  unselfishness.  It  is  now  however  a  proper  time  for 
me  to  express  my  private  thoughts,  therefore  I  assume 
the  authority  to  express  them  that  I  know  of  no  man 
whom  in  my  judgment  could  fill  the  place  of  the  V.  P. 
better  than  yourself  nor  one  in  whom  I  could  most 
cheerfully  concur  in  that  appointment  and  after  writ- 
ing out  my  views  somewhat  in  detail  on  this  subject  to 
our  President  Prof.  Jewett  in  my  last  letter,  I  thus 
signified  my  opinion  and  my  wishes.  However  this 
matter  must  now  remain  open  for  further  reflection 
and  action  untill  Prof.  Jewett  return  when  we  shall 
take  it  up  again,  and  within  the  present  year  may  be 
able  to  make  you  a  proposition  that  will  meet  your  en- 
tire approbation — my  reasons  I  shall  assign  for  advo- 
cating your  appointment  to  that  department  in  the  Col- 
lege that  the  "  Suggestion  "  of  such  an  office  first  came 
from  you,  Secondly,  that  your  large  experience  in  Fe- 
male Education  entitles  your  opinion  and  judgment  to 
more  than  ordinary  consideration.  There  is  a  philoso- 
phy common  to  us  business  men,  never  to  loose  a  good 
paying  customer,  we  often  Classify  on  our  Ledger  our 
patrons,  to  the  poor  paying  ones  we  are  always  short  of 
the  article,  to  the  good  paying  ones  never.  Now  ap- 
ply this  rule  to  our  College  working  plans  of  Teachers 


96  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

there  are  those  who  are  not  only  qualified  to  teach  but 
can  exert  an  influence  in  the  Institution  more  than 
equivalent  to  the  compensation  they  may  receive,  for 
I  hold  it  to  be  a  demonstrative  fact  that  if  our  College 
rise  to  meet  the  public  largest  claims  and  expectations 
it  will  be  through  its  moral  and  religious  aspect  rather 
than  its  intellectual,  for  as  you  justly  remark,  we  have 
had  experience  enough  in  the  latter  "  Good  general 
theories  of  education  are  good  as  far  as  they  go,  but 
we  want  more  practical  life  invigorating  Knowledge 
specimens  of  which  may  here  and  there  be  seen  altho' 
not  a  graft  or  scion  from  a  College  or  a  University 
Stock.  I  need  not  however  extend  my  remarks  on  this 
subject  your  experience  of  18  years  to  the  Profession 
of  teaching  "  Young  ideas  how  to  shoot "  will  amply 
qualify  you  to  judge  collectively  about  such  matters, 
and  I  am  happy  to  think  that  my  friend  Mr  Raymond 
have  not  only  a  supply  of  the  comodity  (of  good  Tui- 
tion) but  know  how  to  impart  it.  Now,  I  am  ready 
for  a  "  Barter  of  your  Wares  "  they  will  allways  be 
needed  and  you  have  an  abundant  supply,  and  the  Col- 
lege has  the  means  for  exchange  of  Comodities  with 
you,  besides  they  have  Scites  on  which  to  erect  com- 
fortable residences  for  their  Professors — this  last  sug- 
gestion I  am  also  indebted  to  you  for,  by  the  adoption 
of  which  much  room  would  be  saved  in  the  College 
buildings  for  subordinate  Instructors,  Pupils  &c  be- 
sides surrounding  the  College  and  Grounds  with  a 
cordon  of  defences  both  of  ingress  and  egress  against 
intruders  on  the  premises,  but  I  have  already  extended 
these  remarks  beyond  my  original  object,  which  was 
simply  to  acknowledge  your  favor,  leaving  all  com- 
ments for  a  private  interview.    We  shall  be  happy  to 


Matthew  Vassar  97 

see  you  when  convenient  with  your  friends.    With  my 
best  regards  to  Mrs  R.  and  the  new  Stranger. 
I  remain  dear  Sir       Yours  truly 


August  30*^  1862  (sent  i"  Sept  1862) 
Rev''  Rufus  Babcock  DD 
My  very  dear  Friend 

I  received  your  Kind  note  dated  at  "  Rustic  Point " 
R.  I.  yesterday  P.  M.  and  notice  your  pleasant  rusti- 
cations with  your  family  for  the  past  two  weeks  upon 
the  sea-bord,  many  of  our  Citizens  of  Po'  have  been 
enjoying  these  summer  repasts,  it  is  reported  that  all 
the  "  Watering  Places  "  &c  have  been  full  to  ower- 
flowing.  A  few  days  since  Mr  Swan  Amanda  &  Self 
took  a  run  up  to  the  "  Columbia  Springs,"  on  our  ar- 
rival found  all  "  full  to  overflowing  "  we  then  started 
for  the  Cattskill  Mountains  house  by  private  convey- 
ance and  to  our  great  surprise  found  some  150  guests 
waiting  for  their  turn  of  accommodations,  some  had 
been  patiently  or  rather  impatiently  waiting  some  2 
or  3  days  for  apartments,  we  had  our  own  private  con- 
veyance and  therefore  could  return  at  our  pleasure, 
others  were  dependant  on  public  conveyances,  and  must 
wait  their  turn — availing  ourselves  of  our  own  wise 
provisions  made  our  way  back  to  Hudson,  and  thence 
home  by  Railway,  only  absent  some  4  days.  The  above 
will  be  the  Key  to  the  versions  of  "  a  good  friends  " 
report  of  our  visit  to  the  Saratoga  Springs  " 

I  have  noticed  your  purpose  visiting  "  Maria 
Mitchell  "  the  great  Astronomer  with  reference  to  her 
engagement  in  the  professional  capacity  in  the  V.  F. 


98  The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

College,  and  will  report  results  after  your  return  to 
"  Patterson  ".  Also  notice  your  intentions  of  visiting 
the  University  at  "  Cambridge  " — remarks  on  the  Miss 
Plummers  professorship  &c  all  of  which  information 
may  be  a  negative  if  not  a  positive  benefit  to  us, — for 
there  is  as  much  benifit  derived  in  seeing  defects  as 
perfection  in  any  system!  It  is  our  purpose  to  start 
from  the  latter  point,  then  advancement  is  improve- 
ment. There  are  copyist  and  there  and  there  are  origi- 
nals in  Literature  and  in  Mechanics. 

As  our  College  buildings  looms  upwards  to  the  Sky, 
its  architectural  beauties  attracts  attention.  The  pe- 
culiarity of  the  materials  and  style  of  arrangements 
gives  solidity  and  chastity.  Every  pleasant  day  brings 
its  scores  of  visitors,  and  I  may  also  add  every  mail 
brings  letters  of  inquiries  for  post  or  places  in  the  in- 
stitution. About  a  month  since  a  gentleman  friend  of 
mine  met  me  and  in  brief  conversation  about  College 
matters  says,  that  it  was  the  Current  report  that  the 
Bord  of  Officials  in  V.  F.  C.  were  all  appointed,  and 
that  from  Baptist  ranks,  this  I  at  once  contributed 
there  was  but  two  appointments  made,  the  President 
and  a  professor  in  Chemistry.  It  is  remarkable  how  dis- 
posed the  public  are  to  make  the  College  Sectarian.  I 
do  hope  therefore  that  whatever  may  be  the  peculiar  re- 
sults of  the  organization  of  the  College  boards  of  pro- 
fessorships &c  It  may  not  be  prematurely  announced 
as  all  the  disappointed  will  be  but  lukewarm  friends, 
if  not  a  step  further  in  advance,  open  enimys.  I  started 
to  have  V.  F.  College  Catholic  in  the  widest  sense  of 
the  term,  we  are  closely  watched  by  denominational 
School  interests  in  Po' — some  catch  at  every  movement 
of  the  Board  that  they  can  twist  into  line  to  subserve 


Matthew  Vassar  99 

their  own  ends.  The  Methodist  with  all  the  sectarian 
elements  are  hardest  to  coalesce.  Letters  from  Prof. 
Jewett  last  advices  are  dated  Wiesbaden  Germany  Au- 
gust 3*^.  Brackett  still  accompanies  him,  the  latter  has 
never  written  me  since  he  left  home.  Mr  J.  leaves 
nothing  unseen  thats  worth  seeing  that  will  be  of 
benefit  or  interest  to  the  College.  Prof.  Fisher  is  with 
them,  has  wrote  for  funds  $500  to  purchase  chemical 
Instruments,  our  Board  has  agreed  to  furnish  it.  Ch' 
A  Raymond  made  a  visit  to  Hamilton  last  week,  has 
conditionally  taken  the  large  Academy  Edifice  (fe- 
males) of  that  place,  engagements  if  consumated  will 
be  just  the  place  for  him. 

I  must  now  close  my  remarks  as  our  Executive  Board 
will  be  Soon  in  Session.  At  your  convenience  please  to 
favor  me  with  a  line.  My  best  regards  to  your  family 
(whom  I  presume  are  near  you)  I  remain 


* 
Sept'  22"  1862. 
Rev"^  Rufus  Babcock  DD. 
My  dear  Friend 
Your  highly   esteemed  favor  of  the   8*^  and   10*'' 
current  Came  duly  to  hand  and  would  have  received 
earlier  acknowledgment  had  not  the  intermediate  time 
been  occupied  almost  exclusively  by  hourly  calls  of 
Visitors  from  abroad  to  see  the  founder  and  the  Edifice 
of  the  V.  F.  College,  which  must  be  my  apology  for 
deferring  an  answer  to  your  Kind  and  intelligent  notes 
above  referred  to,  and  which  I  have  just  taken  up  again 
and  reviewed  this  morning  &  with  primitive   fresh- 
ness of  interest.     Your  visit  to  Nantucket,  Havard 
University,  the  Plummers  Institute,  Cambridge,  with 


ICXD        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

the  high  testimonials  accompanying  your  letters  in  be- 
half of  Miss  Mitchell  as  a  teacher  of  Astronomy  &c* 
in  our  Institution  with  the  appreciated  prospects  of  se- 
curing his  services  in  that  department  with  other  val- 
uable information  obtained  through  your  visits  for  the 
benefit  of  the  College  will  be  laid  before  our  Execu- 
tive Committee  at  their  next  regular  meeting.  En- 
closed please  find  $io  bill  of  the  Farmers  &  Manu- 
fact"^  Bank  of  this  city  no.  which  I  sent  you  to  cover 
expenses  incurred  on  acct.  of  your  visits  as  above  stated 
in  behalf  of  the  College.  I  would  extend  my  remarks, 
by  quotations  from  Prof.  Jewett's  late  letters  also  from 
our  Nephew  J.  G.  Vassar,  our  friend  Rev**  Ch^  A. 
Raymond  now  at  Hamilton  with  some  account  of  visits 
from  Miss  D'  Emily  Blackwell  N.  Y.,  Editors  of 
N.  Y.  Evening  Post,  "  Home  Journal ",  Miss  Docf 
Harriett  R.  Hunt  of  Boston  &c  &c,  the  latter  had 
addressed  me  a  very  respectable,  dignifyed  and  sensible 
letter  upon  the  Education  of  her  sex  &c.  I  have  at 
last  received  a  letter  from  Mr  Brackett  but  have  not 
leasure  to  comment  this  morning.  Your  good  wife 
calP  upon  twice  last  week,  have  not  as  yet  seen  your 
Daughter  Harriett 

Our  family  healths  Continue  much  as  usual.     I  re- 
main dear  friend 

P  S  Amanda  wishes  to  be  Kindly  recommended  to 
you 

M.  V. 


* 

Octr.  2^  1862. 
Rev^  Chr.  A.  Raymond 

My  dear  friend     Your  very  highly  esteemed  favor 
of  the  22^  to  the  25*''  Ultimo  incl :  with  enclosures  came 


Matthew  Vassar  loi 

duly  to  hand  and  have  given  the  same  a  careful  perusal 
which  it  justly  demanded.  Passing  over  the  introduc- 
tory portion  which  chiefly  relates  to  my  personally  self 
I  proceed  at  once  to  notice  your  wise  practical  sug- 
gestions concerning  the  peculiar  feature  of  our  College 
organization  and  its  management  and  in  getting  on  to 
this  ground  I  am  perfectly  aware  of  my  ignorance  to 
lead,  and  perhaps  my  folly  even  to  suggest  any  thing 
new — ^yet  relying  upon  a  long  life  observation  and  ex- 
perience in  the  Common  business  affairs  of  the  world 
I  may  have  gathered  up  some  Knowledge  that  may 
have  escaped  thro'  their  apparent  insignificiency,  the 
minds  of  the  more  learned.  Not  wishing  or  expecting 
to  anticipate  your  views  intimated  in  your  letter  before 
me  I  will  merely  remark  that  the  more  I  have  re- 
flected upon  the  employment  of  an  organized  salaried 
Corpse  of  Teachers  the  more  decided  and  conclusive 
have  my  mind  been  convinced  that  it  will  be  the  identi- 
cal shoal  our  College  bark  will  strike  and  if  not  opening 
a  seam  wide  enough  to  sink  her,  will  at  least  so  much 
impair  her  seaworthiness  as  to  demand  frequent  re- 
pairs— with  this  nautical  illustration  (which  please  to 
excuse)  I  proceed  to  say  that  in  my  judgment  every 
Employee  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest  grade  should 
in  some  way  or  other  be  dependent  for  stipend  more  or 
less  upon  their  own  exertions,  and  the  only  complexity 
of  the  Case  is  the  mode  of  its  arrangements.  Without 
something  of  this  Kind  is  done  the  V.  F.  C.  begins  and 
ends  just  where  all  its  educational  predesessors  have 
and  that  very  frequently  disastrously.  The  first  In- 
stinct of  our  race  is  Self  make  the  promotory  of  that 
the  chief  object  and  there  is  no  difficulty  of  finding 


I02        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Energy  &  Talent.  Now  then,  who  have  we  amongst 
us  to  draw  up  a  programme  on  an  just  equitable  Sliding 
Scale,  so  that  every  labourer  get  the  equitable  reward 
of  his  toil,  thats  the  Problem  to  be  solved,  can  Mr 
Raymond  effect  this  ?  if  so,  I  should  like  to  secure  his 
services. 

I  have  had  no  little  experience  In  the  philosophy  of 
adjusting  remuneration  for  labour.  On  one  occasion 
I  employed  a  man  by  the  month  to  sell  Ale  in  N.  Y. 
for  the  Company,  but  as  the  pay  was  sure  there  was 
no  stimular  or  incentive  for  exertions.  I  then  tried  the 
System  of  Commission  pr  barrel,  then  they  made 
money  and  I  lost,  as  they  gained  bad  debts,  I  then 
made  a  new  bargain  viz :  gave  him  a  certain  percentage 
on  all  the  Ales  sold  and  money  collected  and  paid  over, 
this  nail  was  a  clincher,  and  from  thence  forward  all 
went  well,  he  was  careful  to  sell  only  where  he  could 
collect,  and  collect  just  when  he  wanted  it.  If  I  give 
a  man  my  farm  to  work  on  Shares,  I  am  very  sure  he 
will  do  the  best  he  can  for  both  of  us — it  is  his  interest, 
and  thats  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter  and  which 
is  just  the  substance  of  your  views,  the  reciprocate  Sys- 
tem. Set  apart  from  the  Endowment  fund,  a  specefic 
Sum  to  keep  the  buildings  in  good  repair  and  for  the 
gradual  improvement  of  the  College  grounds  &  fur- 
niture. Library  &  philosophical  apparatus,  the  inter- 
est of  which  annually  to  be  expended,  a  professorship 
&  Teacher  Fund  graduated  by  the  Success  of  their  own 
efforts  in  appropriate  proportion.  Set  apart  a  fund 
to  be  known  &  distinguished  as  the  Beneficiary  fund 
for  respectable  poor  but  promising  talented  young  girls 
whom  will  do  honor  to  your  Institution. 


Matthew  Vassar  103 

Specific  Appropriation  Funds. 
For  improvements  of  Grounds. 

"  Building  &  repairs 
Furniture  fund. 

Library  &  Philosphical  Apparatus  fund 
Professor  &  Teachers  Fund 
Beneficiary  Fund 
but  after  writing  all  as  above  I  find  on  reading  over 
your  letter  I  have  suggested  nothing  new,  it  is  much 
the  same  as  your  own  plan.    Let  me  have  it  from  your 
pen  elaborated. 

I  now  come  to  that  part  of  your  letter  under  date 
the  25*^  Thursday.  It  is  needless  for  me  to  say  that 
I  am  heartly  glad  to  learn  that  your  good  wife  and 
children  (or  Babys  as  you  call  them)  have  all  met  with 
you  in  safety.  I  say  all,  I  presume  you  have  not  omitted 
to  count  &  chalk*^  as  they  arrived.  You  speak  of 
the  agreable  shock  the  Pok  Check  afforded  you,  if  your 
Case  needs  another  of  the  Kind,  frankly  write  me  and 
it  shall  be  forthcoming,  if  I  have  the  funds  on  hand. 

Amanda  has  read  over  your  letter  to  me  at  least 
three  times,  and  wants  another  chance,  she  takes  a  deep 
interest  in  your  welfare,  and  wants  me  to  promise  you 
a  visit  the  next  festival  Season. 

Now  for  the  last  three  days  I  have  been  laid  up  with 
a  severe  cold  I  have  made  out  to  scribble  off  the  fore- 
going, but  was  so  unintelligible  that  I  got  our  Mr. 
Schow  to  copy  it. 

I  shall  leave  a  little  space  for  Amandas  remarks,  so 
I  take  my  leave  of  you  this  afternoon.  God  be  with 
you  my  friend  and  prosper  and  Keep  you  &  yours 
during  his  good  pleasure  is  the  prayer  of  your  friend 

M.  V. 


I04        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

P.  S.  We  have  some  friends  and  relatives  from  Auburn 
visiting  us  this  morning  which  will  prevent  Amanda 
from  adding  anything  to  this  note,  but  she  wishes  me 
to  say  that  she  is  looking  for  that  long  promised  letter 
as  she  is  anxious  to  know  if  there  is  any  "  Bathing 
Facilities "  like  those  at  V.  F.  College  Institution. 
Amanda  sends  her  love  to  your  good  wife  and  Laura, 
and  was  disappointed  in  not  seeing  them  before  their 
departure,  but  hopes  to  make  you  a  short  visit  next 
summer  when  I  come  out  to  meet  with  our  Bord  Trus- 
tees of  Rochester  University  Anniversary. 

Yrs.      M.  V. 


* 
Ocf  25"  1862 
Rev^  Chr.  A.  Raymond. 

My  dear  friend.  Your  valued  favour  of  the  4" 

current  would  have  received  earlier  attention  but  tem- 
porary illness  and  many  claims  upon  my  time  in  con- 
sequence of  the  late  fire  of  our  Malt  House  Buildings 
&c.  I  have  taken  the  earliest  opportunity  to  look  over 
and  examine  your  letter  setting  forth  your  plan  of  the 
working  process  of  our  Collage  Institution  and  while 
in  the  main  I  highly  approve  of  it,  yet  it  admits  of 
some  modification  on  the  Sliding  Scale  upon  which  the 
respective  compensations  are  based.  As  It  now  stands 
It  possibly  might  carry  the  Salaries  of  President  and 
Prop  entirely  too  high, — take  for  Instance  the 
first  ofliceir  Y  President  at  200  pupils  his  share  would 
be  $4^166.66  suppose  there  Is  400  pupils  then  his  por- 
tion would  be  $8333.33:  now  while  I  grant  that  the 
operation  of  the  plan  Is  an  incentive  to  industry  yet  the 
self  interest  principle  should  not  all  inure  to  the  Em- 


Matthew  Vassar  105 

ployees  benefit  but  rather  be  reciprocal  or  divided  be- 
tween them  and  the  College.  But  I  have  not  time  this 
morning  to  suggest  a  better  plan  if  I  could,  shall  there- 
fore leave  the  subject  for  further  reflection.  Allow 
me  to  thank  you  for  the  present  very  kindly  for  your 
valuable  suggestions,  long  before  our  College  goes 
into  operation  I  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
you  when  we  can  talk  over  more  fully  all  matters  con- 
nected with  the  working  of  the  Institution.  At  pres- 
ent I  am  much  engaged  in  Scheming  and  planing  for 
the  warming  &  ventilating  the  building — It  has  taxed 
our  Architects  &  all  our  Building  Committee  in- 
genuity to  the  utmost.  Some  goes  hot  water,  others 
Steam,  others  hot  air,  all  has  more  or  less  their  in- 
trinsic merits,  none  quite  as  perfect  as  we  wish.  I  con- 
sider that  upon  the  degree  of  this  success  (heating  & 
ventilation)  depends  the  ultimate  popularity  of  the 
Institution,  Once  the  reputation  established  of  being 
unhealthy  (not  matter  from  what  cause)  we  greatly 
suffer — physical  well  Being  must  stand  foremost  no 
matter  how  good  otherwise  y'  Institution.  I  do  not 
expect  to  make  Wistliz  out  of  pigs  tails  or  to  give  new 
constitutions  to  organic  Invalids  but  one  of  the  chief 
objects  of  our  College  Is  to  impart  healthe  while  we 
impart  Knowledge  only  adding  that  I  think  your  sys- 
tem is  somewhat  if  not  entirely  original,  at  any  rate 
it  meets  my  views  and  I  think  it  will  our  Presidents 
although  striking  at  the  root  of  Endowments  for  Pro- 
fessorships. As  Amanda  have  received  (yesterday) 
your  kind  letter  she  will  answer  It  shortly,  in  the  mean 
while  please  to  accept  our  united  thanks. 

Truly  yours. 


io6        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


Oct.  29  1862. 
Miss  Maria  Mitchell  Lynn  Mass. 

Dear  Madame. 

I  have  on  several  occasions  had  the  pleasure  to  hear 
your  name  mentioned  at  the  Annual  Meetings  of  the 
Bord  of  Trustees  of  V.  F.  College  as  the  most  suitable 
person  to  fill  the  important  Office  of  Professorship  of 
Astronomy  and  an  increased  interest  has  been  mani- 
fested since  your  interview  with  D'  Rufus  Babcock, 
whom  has  been  quite  desirous  that  our  Institution 
should  avail  itself  of  your  valuable  services  in  that 
department.  You  will  please  to  excuse  me  when  I  say 
as  the  Founder  of  the  College  that  I  feel  the  deepest 
anxiety  for  the  successful  occupancy  of  that  Professor- 
ship, and  believe  there  is  no  one  in  our  Country  can 
better  insure  it  than  yourself.  No  official  appoint- 
ments in  the  Institution  has  been  made  other  than  the 
Presidency  &  Professorship  of  Chemistry — nor  will 
there  be  untill  Professor  Jewitt  return  from  his  pro- 
fessional European  tour  next  Spring.  We  are  progress- 
ing finely  with  our  College  building  it  is  receiving  its 
roof  and  the  whole  Edifice  will  be  completed  within 
the  time  contracted  viz:  i  June  1864 — 

In  a  few  days  will  send  you  a  copy  of  the  New  Eng- 
lander  containing  an  article  on  our  College  Enterprize. 
I  have  not  seen  It  as  yet,  but  I  have  heard  it  well  spoken 
of  by  others — 

I  am  dear  Madam 

Yours  very  respectfully 


Matthew  Vassar  107 


Novbr  21'*  1862. 
Miss  Emma  C.  Church 

Care  of  Freeborn  &  Co    Bankers    Rome 

Dear  Madame,  I  have  been  requested  by  Prof. 
M.  P.  Jewett  L.  L.  D.  President  V.  F.  College  to  ad- 
dress you  upon  the  subject  of  certain  pictures  painted 
and  to  be  painted  by  you  for  the  above  institution,  four 
copies  from  originals  which  he  informs  me  he  has  en- 
gaged of  you  &  others  he  is  desireous  to  have  executed 
for  the  College  account,  the  first  order  have  been  ap- 
proved by  our  Executive  Committee,  and  you  will  find 
to  your  credit  at  John  Monroe  &  Co  Bankers  Paris, 
Bills  of  Exchange  for  the  payment  of  each  picture  as 
may  be  delivered  to  that  house  agreeable  to  Prof. 
Jewetts  Order,  and  who  will  forward  each  to  us  as  re- 
ceived by  them. 

After  the  first  specimens  are  received,  they  will  be 
submitted  for  inspection  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
the  College  at  their  annual  Febry.  meeting,  whom  will 
then  decide  upon  their  merits,  and  I  will  write  you  the 
results.  It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  inform  you 
that  Prof.  Jewett  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your 
genius,  personal,  spotless  and  purity  of  character,  and 
of  the  many  warm  friends  you  have  in  Rome  which 
gives  weight  &  additional  value  to  your  pictures. 
Should  your  first  specimens  be  approved  by  the  Bord 
you  may  reasonable  hope  for  an  order  for  the  Art 
Gallery  of  the  College  of  some  few  thousands  Dollars 
to  be  executed  from  Originals  representive  pictures 
to  show  the  Characteristic  exellency  of  your  greatest 
master  by  an  American  Lady  Artist.  The  subject  of 
such  copies,  form  &  color  will  be  left  to  your  discre- 


io8        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

tion,  and  especially  the  canvass,  which  is  of  the  utmost 

importance.     Great  complaints  are  made  in  America 

by  the  use  of  cheap  &  useless  canvass  which  after  a 

year  or  two  crack  and  the  picture  becomes  worthless. 

We  trust  you  will  have  particular  regard  to  this  part 

of  your  work  as  that  also  of  the  kind  &  quality  of  the 

other  materials.     With  my  best  regards  I  am  dear 

Miss  Church 

Yours  respectfully 


Post  Script  to  Emma  C.  Church's  letter  of  ii^^  De- 
cember. 
On  the  Eve  of  mailing  the  within  letter  received  ad- 
vices from  Prof  Jewett  informing  us  of  his  purpose 
to  close  up  his  european  tour  at  Rome  or  Naples  on 
a/c  of  the  enormous  rate  of  Exchanges,  this  letter  has 
therefore  been  retained  that  he  might  see  the  contents 
before  sending  it  to  you  which  circumstance  will  ex- 
plain the  decrepency  between  the  date  and  its  receipt 
by  you.    Prof.  Jewett  will  write  you  by  an  early  mail. 


November  25,  1862. 
Miss  Maria  Mitchell,  Lynn  Mass. 

Dear  Madame !  I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  let- 
ter of  the  22'^  Inst:  and  owe  you  an  apology  for  my 
remissness.  I  now  send  you  the  Copy  of  the  "  New 
Englander "  with  a  few  Pamphlets  of  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Board  of  Trustees  at  their  first  meeting, 
which  I  trust  will  reach  you  in  due  course  of  mail. 

I  am  very  happy  to  learn  that  you  are  taking  so 
much  interest  in  V.  F.  College  Enterprize  by  watching 


Matthew  Vassar  109 

its  progress  &c.  This  day  completes  the  roofing,  our 
Edifice  is  now  enclosed  from  Storms  &  Winds.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  we  do  all  work  that  can  safely  be  done 
at  those  seasons.  There  is  every  prospect  of  com- 
pleting the  whole  Edifice  by  the  Summer  of  1864. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  President 
Professor  Jewett  will  be  home  by  the  i**  proximo.  The 
State  of  the  Country  &  Exchanges  have  induced  him  & 
several  other  americans  to  shorten  their  journeyings. 
I  shall  at  all  times  be  happy  to  hear  from  you. 

Yours  truly, 


April  23*^  1863. 
Honb'  Gilbert  Dean      Assembly  Albany 
Dear  Sir 

Through  the  Press  of  this  City  I  learn  of  the  Amend- 
ment you  have  moved  to  the  Bill  respecting  the  appro- 
priation of  Moneys  &c.  Accept  my  thanks  for  your 
attentions  to  the  interest  of  Vassar  Female  College; 
and  believe  me  in  promoting  those  interests  you  are 
advancing  the  true  and  the  higher  interest  of  the 
people. 

We  trust  our  College  will  be  a  powerful  Engine  in 
forming  the  coming  generations  of  the  Empire  State; 
but  that  it  may  exert  the  highest  amount  of  benificient 
influence,  it  will  need  to  receive  something  from  the 
bounty  of  the  State  which  has  always  been  so  liberally 
bestowed  on  other  Colleges.  Surely  the  daughters  of 
the  State  are  not  less  worthy  of  its  benificence  than  its 
Sons.  If  the  men  of  future  generations  are  to  be 
worthy  citizens,  you  must  train  the  mothers  who  shall 
train  those  men. 


no        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

As  you  have  this  matter  in  hand  I  trust  you  will  urge 
it  forward  with  your  usual  abihty,  energy  &  Success. 
I  am  dear  Sir 

Yours  very  respectfully 


May  9*^  1863. 
Rufus  Babcock  D  D 
My  dear  friend 
This  morning,  after  my  return  from  the  "  Po'  Rural 
Cementary  "  where  by  appointment  I  went  to  meet  the 
Sexton  or  Keeper  of  the  Grounds  to  remove  the  re- 
mains of  my  poor  wife  to  her  last  resting  place  in  the 
family  Plot, — I  received  your  very  polite  note  of  the 
7***  with  inclosure.  The  latter  I  handed  at  once  over 
to  our  President  to  reply  as  it  is  not  my  purpose  nor 
wish  to  have  any  thing  to  do  in  matters  of  the  College 
appointments  for  I  am  persuaded  that  I  am  neither 
competent  nor  am  I  inclined  to  assume  responsibility 
were  nothing  can  be  gained  for  myself  or  the  Institu- 
tion. Already  have  there  been  conflicts  in  its  work- 
ings thus  far,  and  I  am  sure  therefore  there  will  be  in 
the  future.  My  business  is  to  build,  endow  and  outfit 
the  College,  and  I  shall  have  nothing  to  do  with  its 
internal  organization.  Your  number  One  and  two 
Statements  by  M^^  Babcock  is  entirely  misappre- 
hended. I  merely  remark^  this  to  her  under  the  first 
head  "  That  at  the  last  June  Meeting  you  suggested 
the  propriety  and  did  bring  forward  a  '' Resolution" 
to  make  a  few  Official  appointments,  but  when  it  was 
remarked  that  such  appointments  in  the  absence  of  our 
President  might  not  seem  Courteous  to  him  you  at 
once  concurred,  withdrew  the  Suggestions  and  the  mat- 


Matthew  Vassar  iii 

ter  was  drop*^.  I  refer  you  to  the  Secretary  Minutes 
for  these  facts.  I  have  now  in  my  possession  the  Copy 
of  the  letter  I  wrote  after  the  June  Meeting  to  Prof. 
Jewett  and  you  may  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  it 
at  any  time  when  you  come  to  Po'.  Your  visit  to  Nan- 
tucket to  see  Miss  Mitchell  was  at  your  own  sugges- 
tion and  approved  by  our  Ex.  Committee  who  author- 
ized me  to  pay  or  the  Treasurer  to  pay  your  Expenses 
so  that  no  blame  whatever  rested  on  you  or  on  me  in 
that  matter.  The  truth  is  as  I  believe  that  neither  any 
thing  you  have  done  or  left  undone  in  connection  with 
our  College  Matters  have  altered  Prof.  Jewetts  feel- 
ings towards  you  as  I  Know  of,  but  that  Somebody  has 
prejudiced  his  mind  against  you  I  believe. 

You  will  excuse  me  if  I  rest  my  pen  here  as  my  head 
is  beginning  to  get  dizzi.  At  another  day  I  hope  to 
write  or  explain  personally  more  fully. 

Yours  truly  &c 


* 
May  12*''  1863. 
Rev''  Rufus  Babcock  DD 
My  dear  Friend 
Since  my  last  of  the  9*^  Current  scarcely  an  hour  has 
passed  without  my  mind  reverting  to  our  College  mat- 
ters and  bringing  you  in  the  Connection.    In  my  last  I 
briefly  adverted  to  some  incidents  which  may  have 
changed  Prof.  Jewetts  mind  in  relation  to  you,  altho' 
they  were  far  from  being  satisfactory  even  to  myself 
yet  whatever  they  may  be,  have  had  their  influence,  I 
am  sorry,  very  sorry  indeed  that  such  should  be  the 
circumstances  as  to  leade  to  such  results,  but  I  Know 
not  what  to  do,  and  would  only  advise  patience  & 


112        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

forbearance  on  your  part  perhaps  something  may 
"  turn  up  "  to  remove  them  before  the  June  Meeting, 
should  this  not  be  the  case  then  I  have  in  my  mind 
another  Scheme  for  your  co-operation  in  promoting  our 
Enterprize  which  I  think  will  be  honorable  &  grati- 
fying to  you  and  all  concerned.  At  a  proper  time  I 
will  make  it  Known  to  you  and  I  am  persuaded  it  will 
meet  your  hearty  response,  and  cannot  in  any  way  ef- 
fect our  President  otherwise  than  for  good.  Do  not 
let  the  developement  of  the  past  few  days  dishearten 
or  discourage  you, — time  works  wonderful  changes  in 
mens  minds — perhaps  the  Causes  which  led  to  change 
Jewetts,  may  be  removed  whatsoever  they  may  be. 
truly  your  friend  &c*. 


May  30"  1863 
Rev''  Rufus  Babcock  DD 
My  dear  friend 
I  am  this  morning  in  receipt  of  yours  of  yesterday 
and  allow  me  to  repeat  that  I  deeply  deplore  and  most 
sincerely  regret  the  position  of  the  private  affairs  be- 
tween you  and  Prof.  Jewett  and  would  to  God  I  could 
enterpose  some  paliatives,  but  I  know  not  how  or 
where  to  begin,  if  I  did  I  certainly  would  for  a  Knowl- 
edge of  a  disease  is  said  to  be  half  its  Cure.  From  my 
inmost  heart  I  believe  Prof.  Jewetts  prejudices  against 
you  are  candid  and  honest  and  will  never  be  changed 
unless  the  circumstances  which  induced  them  and  led  his 
mind  to  the  present  stand  point  are  removed,  whatever 
these  may  be  he  says  he  is  willing  and  ready  to  disclose 
at  the  proper  time.  I  would  prefer  to  observe  entire 
silence  on  what  I  suggested  in  my  last  letter  until  our 


Matthew  Vassar  113 

next  private  interview  or  a  little  while  before  the  June 
Meeting  or  perhaps  it  may  be  most  adviseable  to  wait 
untill  after  the  Meeting  at  any  rate  it  must  be  made 
at  a  private  interview. 

Having  some  pressing  engagements  on  hand  this 
morning  I  offer  as  an  apology  for  this  brief  note  in 
answer  to  yours  before  me. 

I  remain  my  very  dear  friend. 


June  2^  1863. 
Rev**  Rufus  Babcock 

My  dear  friend.  Yours  of  yesterday  the  i^*  is  be- 
fore me,  and  which  I  have  read  with  much  interest  as 
I  do  any  thing  from  your  pen.  In  answer  to  your  first 
enquiry  whether  "  I  had  seen  his  two  letters  to  you 
and  your  answer  to  his  first "  I  reply  substantially  I 
have  altho'  not  perhaps  the  identical  or  original  ones 
send  you,  they  were  both  mailed  I  believe  before  he 
read  the  Copies  (if  Copies)  to  me.  When  Prof 
Jewett  spoke  to  me  of  these  letters  (I  believe  it  was  the 
first)  that  I  reluctantly  wish  to  be  a  party  to  the  con- 
troversy but  if  I  was  drawn  into  it  should  keep  back 
nothing  from  you  or  him,  would  be  frankly  just  be- 
tween you  both.  He  then  remark*^  that  he  took  the 
responsibility  entirely  on  himself  and  would  by  no 
means  draw  me  into  the  contraversy.  As  matters  now 
stand  it  is  impossible  for  you  to  fill  any  chair  in  the 
College  of  which  Prof  Jewett  is  President.  I  speak 
this  from  a  knowledge  of  facts,  because  I  do  believe 
that  if  I  was  to  make  it  a  point  and  insist  on  your  chap- 
lainship  or  any  other  office  in  the  College,  Prof  Jewett 
would  at  once  resign.     I  cannot  go  into  an  argument 


114        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

or  take  part  in  one  between  you  and  him  because  I 
know  it  would  be  useless  so  far  as  to  reconcile  his  feel- 
ings and  it  was  for  this  reason  that  I  stated  in  my  last 
that  I  thought  it  best  in  you  to  remain  entirely  silent  till 
a  private  interview  with  you  either  before  or  after  the 
June  Meeting,  I  do  not  Know  which  his  purposes  are 
in  regard  to  calling  the  Committee  on  Faculty  & 
Studies  together  earlier  than  the  June  Meeting,  but 
will  enquire  when  I  next  see  him.  He  has  been  absent 
a  day  or  two  and  is  now  very  busy  in  his  own  Study  at 
home.  I  was  glad  to  hear  of  Prof.  Robinsons  was  re- 
viving altho  yet  quite  low. 

Your  affectionate  friend 


June  5*''  1863. 
Rev^  Charles  A.  Raymond 

Sir  I  have  held  your  last  letter  under  consid- 

eration for  several  days,  my  feeble  health  forbiding 
me  to  enter  into  particulars  respecting  the  contents,  I 
must  only  say  that  having  visited  D""  Willard  Parker 
of  N.  Y.  last  week,  he  was  imperious  in  his  advice  "  I 
must  have  rest,"  he  also  said  the  brain  was  taxed  too 
much — I  must  think  and  talk  less,  I  must  give  it  up, 
therefore  I  shall  follow  his  advice.  The  erecting  of 
the  College  and  endowing  it  Is  business  enough  for  me. 
I  have  chosen  a  President  in  whom  I  have  unshaken 
confidence,  a  board  of  Trustees  equally  as  trustfully; 
with  them  the  College  will  stand  or  fall.  On  the  Presi- 
dent I  throw  the  great  responsibility  cheerfully.  I  am 
much  obliged  to  you  for  the  interest  that  you  have  ex- 
pressed for  the  Institution  and  the  proferred  advice, 
but  my  health  and  the  Doctors  Commands  will  prevent 


Matthew  Vassar  115 

me  from  participating  any  more  in  the  plan  of  organi- 
zation on  these  grounds  I  must  be  excused  as  my 
health  is  greatly  suffering  by  reason  of  over  taxation 
of  the  brain. 

I  cannot  however  let  this  opportunity  pass  without 
acknowledging  your  Kindness  and  the  valuable  sugges- 
tions &  services  thus  far  rendered  in  College  matters 
and  for  which  I  beg  you  to  accept  my  warmest  thanks 
with  the  enclosed  note  of  yours  payable  to  my  order, 
say  $262  with  Interest. 

I  have  requested  our  Clerk  M'  Schow  to  copy  this 
note  conforming  to  my  Physicians  instructions  avoid- 
ing Brain  labor. 

Yours  truly 
J.  N.  Schow 

for  M'  Maath.  Vassar. 


Poughkeepsie,  July  16,  1863. 
Miss  Emma  C.  Church 
My  dear  Madame. 

I  were  duly  put  in  receipt  of  your  kind  favor  of  the 
20*  Ultimo  with  enclosures  &c''  and  would  have  ac- 
knowledged this  sooner  to  release  your  anxiety,  but 
were  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  pictures.  They  are 
now  safely  at  hand  and  are  temporarily  placed  in  my 
domicil  for  security  but  not  for  exhibition  as  I  am  un- 
willing for  the  public  to  see  them  until  our  Art  Gal- 
lery at  the  College  is  finished. 

You  are  aware  of  the  great  disadvantages  &  In- 
justice done  to  an  Artist  in  not  having  their  works 
properly  exhibited,  I  therefore  will  not  allow  but  few 


ii6        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

persons  to  see  them  and  those  only  of  our  Executive 
Board. 

It  is  some  times  a  virtue  to  acknowledge  ones  igno- 
rance, this  I  now  have  an  opportunity  to  do,  I  profess 
to  be  no  critic  in  judgment  of  your  art,  but  there  are 
those  in  our  Board  who  are,  and  I  am  happy  to  inform 
you  that  your  pictures  fully  sustain  their  highest  ex- 
pectations. With  regard  the  Bust  to  be  executed  by 
Miss  Hosmer,  I  cannot  at  this  moment  speak,  and  some 
of  our  Committee  being  from  town  would  not  feel  au- 
thorized to  do  more  about  it  at  present  than  to  ascer- 
tain from  Miss  H  the  probable  cost,  which  I  will  lay 
before  them  at  early  meeting  after  the  receipt  of  her 
answer. 

You  having  suggested  whether  if  the  other  two  pic- 
tures does  not  reach  us  before  the  fall  64  would  be 
soon  enough.  I  answer,  yes,  to  reach  us  say  by  Sept" 
I,  64.  Hereafter,  you  will  send  the  other  two  without 
frames,  as  it  is  an  expense  to  pack  and  transport  so 
large  packages,  by  giving  us  the  size  and  style  of  the 
frame  we  can  have  them  executed  in  N.  Y.  ready  by 
the  time  they  arrive. 

I  will  not  speak  of  our  political  troubles,  you  will 
find  abundance  to  read  and  crimson  your  cheek  as  an 
american  in  the  Journals  from  the  12*^  to  15^''  inst. 

I  would  add  further  but  President  Jewett  will  write 
you  in  a  day  or  two,  on  his  return  from  New  Haven. 

I  remain :  D'  Miss  Church 

Yours  very  truly  &C 


Matthew  Vassar  117 


Sept  2**  1863. 
Rev"^  Ch'  A.  Raymond. 
Dear  Sir 

Your  letter  of  the  13*^  Ulto.  I  found  on  my  desk  on 
my  return  from  Newport  after  an  absence  of  some  four 
weeks  to  the  SeaBord  for  the  benefit  of  my  health, 
which  must  be  my  apology  for  not  replying  sooner.  I 
have  perused  the  same  with  as  much  attention  as  my 
feeble  state  of  health  will  admit,  and  regret  extremely 
that  your  feelings  should  be  in  the  least  degree  cool 
towards  me  as  you  say  in  the  first  paragraph  "  that  you 
was  not  surprised  at  the  tone  "  of  my  letter  after 
Jewetts  treatment  &c  towards  you.  Allow  me  to  say 
very  honestly  and  promptly  that  I  have  not  had  nor 
would  I  take  any  part  in  the  private  questions  or  con- 
traversy  between  you  and  Prof.  Jewett,  I  was  and  have 
as  far  as  I  know  been  entirely  neutral,  that  the  latter 
has  done  the  fair  thing  with  you  I  am  not  prepared  to 
say  "  Yes  or  No  "  as  I  have  not  seen  all  your  corre- 
spondence that  you  have  strove  to  render  the  College 
enterprize  a  Success  by  adopting  your  plan  of  organiza- 
tion, I  have  always  acknowledged  and  intended  the 
return  of  your  note  &c^  as  a  compensation  for  that 
trouble,  and  for  no  other  purpose  and  I  thank"^  you 
then  and  again  at  this  time  for  it. 

Miss  Germond  accompanied  us  to  Newport, 
she  unites  in  her  best  regards.  The  article  in 
"  Harper's  Monthly  I  have  not  seen  "  I  will  get  it, 
as  she  will  be  pleased  to  read  any  thing  from  your 
pen. 

Very  respectfully 
P  S.     You  will  excuse  this  coming  in  our  Clerks  M' 


Ii8        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Schows  handwriting  as  I  was  unable  to  do  more  than 
give  a  rough  draft  for  him  to  copy 


Sam^  Gregory  MD     Secretary  N.  E.   Female  Med. 

College  Boston 

* 

Novbr  6  1863. 

My  dear  Sir.  Permit  me  to  thank  you  for  your 
fifteenth  Annual  Catalogue  &  report  to  the  New 
England  Female  Medical  College  and  while  penning 
this  last  sentence  I  am  reminded  of  the  Critiscism  now 
going  on  among  several  of  our  Litterati  regarding  the 
Etomology  of  the  Vassar  Female  College,  several  of 
them  advising  a  change  to  "  Vassar  Girls  College  "  or 
College  for  young  Ladies  as  the  term  "  female  "  more 
directly  apply  to  the  brute  creation  &c^.  I  cannot  how- 
ever at  this  moment  enter  into  the  merits  of  the 
controversy,  suffice  to  say  as  we  have  adopted  the  custo- 
mary name  to  designitate  the  character  of  our  Institu- 
tion. I  hardly  think  it  of  sufficient  importance  to 
change  its  title  at  this  late  day,  notwithstanding  the 
critsicm  of  M"  Hale  Editrice  of  the  Godey  Book  & 
others.  You  will  see  in  the  forthcoming  numbers  from 
I  January  ensuing  the  subject  fully  discussed  &c. 

I  have  read  your  last  annual  catalogue  with  much 
interest.  I  most  sincerely  hope  you  may  be  able  to  m.ake 
a  beginning  for  your  buildings  for  the  College,  pur- 
chase of  lots  &c;  do  let  me  Know  how  you  Succeed, 
I  have  so  much  interest  in  your  Success  of  your  noble 
enterprize,  that  altho'  not  very  flush  with  means  will 
do  something  for  it 

Respectfully 


Matthew  Vassar  119 


December  15*'*  1863. 
My  dear  Miss  Church  care  of  Freeborn  &  Co.  Bankers. 
Rome. 
Delays  are  not  always  disappointments,  they  often 
inure  to  our  benefits,  whether  the  delay  of  my  answer 
to  your  kind  favor  of  the  27  Octbr  will  prove  true  in 
this  case,  time  will  determine.  Soon  after  the  receipt 
of  your  last  I  took  the  earliest  opportunity  to  lay  it 
before  our  Ex.  Committee,  but  without  their  taking 
any  action  thereon — the  fact  is,  this  matter  of  buying 
pictures  has  given  me  some  trouble.  I  will  briefly  state 
them.  When  Prof.  Jewett  was  in  England  &  Rome 
in  the  Summer  of  62  he  wrote  to  me  not  as  Chairman 
of  the  Ex.  Com  of  V.  F.  C,  but  personally  avoiding 
all  acts  that  more  properly  belong*^  to  the  Committee 
on  "  Fine  Arts  "  which  is  composed  of  Prof.  S.  F.  B. 
Morse,  Benson  J.  Lossing  (Historian)  E.  L.  Magoon 
DD,  Honb^  Jno  Thompson  and  Jno  Guy  Vassar,  and 
in  as  much  as  the  Chairman  of  that  Committee  had 
not  been  advised  or  consulted,  a  little  feeling  of  jeal- 
ousy was  created,  so  much  so  as  one  or  two  of  them 
have  since  declined  to  co-operate  and  they  have  not 
seen  your  first  pencillings  &  a  fine  engraving  now  in 
my  possession  bought  by  M""  Jewett.  Seeing  this  mat- 
ter hangs  fire  and  unwilling  to  widen  the  breach  I  in- 
formed the  Board  of  Trustees  yesterday  that  to 
remove  all  trouble,  I  would  take  the  picture  now  in  proc- 
ess of  execution  (Foligno)  off  your  hands  and  present 
it  to  the  College  gratis  sooner  than  to  have  any  further 
trouble  or  feeling  upon  it.  The  whole  matter  now 
stands  between  us,  you  and  me,  and  therefore  I  wish 
(especially  as  you  have  an  opportunity  to  dispose  of  it 


I20        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

to  other  parties)  to  inform  me  at  once  the  lowest  price 
for  it,  framed  in  a  neat  plain  manner,  box*^,  packed 
and  delivered  on  board  of  any  Packet  bound  to  N.  Y 
City  at  your  convenience  after  its  completion  and  ren- 
der me  bills  of  lading  that  I  may  insure  &c.  This 
course  I  have  adopted,  first  to  save  all  further  mur- 
merings  and  secondly  to  give  an  opportunity  to  indorse 
my  prudence  in  selecting  an  artist  who  I  believe  will  do 
the  highest  Credit  to  the  profession  of  our  Country^ 
women  abroad.  Therefore  should  you  be  successfull 
in  the  celebrated  work  of  the  worlds  great  master 
"  Raphael  "  Foligno  it  will  releave  me  from  no  little 
unpleasant  feelings  but  immortalize  your  name  in  the 
estimates  of  every  lover  of  the  art  who  may  visit  V.  F. 
College  for  years  to  come.  You  will  now  understand 
that  the  immortal  "  Foligno  "  is  executed  on  my  ac- 
count consulting  your  own  convenience  as  to  time  for 
its  execution,  applying  the  College  funds  now  in  your 
hands  on  its  account  and  the  balance  will  be  promptly 
paid  on  its  delivery  aforesaid  &c  at  Leghorn  or  any 
other  port  of  embarkation  you  may  select 

Yours  respectfully 
P  S.  The  fourth  picture  you  propose  to  paint  for  the 
College  must  of  course  depend  upon  circumstances, 
that  is,  how  acceptable  the  3*^  proves. 


22  Decbr  1863 
Rev^  E.  L.  Magoon  DD. 

My  dear  friend  Our  Secretary  M"^  Swan  has  this 
moment  show^  me  your  letter  of  yesterday  to  the  Trus- 
tees of  V.  F.  College  purporting  to  resign  your  posi- 


Matthew  Vassar  121 

tion  in  their  Board,  with  accompanied  reasons  there- 
fore, all  of  which  have  weighed  deeply  on  my  mind, 
and  I  could  not  rest  untill  you  had  been  seen  on  the 
subject  &  that  before  laying  it  before  our  Ex.  Com- 
mittee in  the  hopes  that  you  will  reconsider  this  matter 
and  consent  to  retain  your  place  in  the  Board.  I  would 
come  up  myself  but  my  health  do  not  permit  & 
therefore  M'  Swan  goes  up  to  tomorrow  morning  to 
see  you.  If  there  is  any  thing  outside  of  the  doings  of 
the  Ex.  Committee  that  has  induced  to  this  proceeding 
on  our  part,  do  my  dear  friend  inform  me,  if  not,  and 
only  as  you  remark  to  enable  you  to  lay  aside  all 
wordly  engrossment,  that  you  may  devote  your  life 
more  to  the  cause  of  truth  &  righteousness,  then  I 
would  beg  to  remark,  what  medium  is  there  on  earth 
more  directly  effectual  than  the  early  training  of  chil- 
dren thro'  the  moral  and  religious  influences  that  will 
be  inculcated  in  the  College  as  I  stated  in  my  address 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Trustees  1861,  besides,  your 
resignation  will  be  taken  advantage  of  by  numerous 
femal  Educational  Rivals  and  turn*^  to  our  special  dis- 
advantage both  here  and  in  other  places.  I  pray  there- 
fore my  dear  friend  do  re-consider  this  matter  and 
remain  in  our  Board,  I  cannot  consent  to  part  with  you. 
Do  write  me,  but  don't  resign 

Yours  very  truly 


December  24,  1863. 
My  dear  Miss  Church 

Since  I  last  wrote  our  John  G.  Vassar  one  of  the 
Committee  on  "  Fine  Arts  "  will  sail  on  Saturday  or 


122        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Monday  for  Europe  and  I  have  requested  him  to  take 
Rome  on  his  Route  and  call  upon  you,  not  that  I  have 
any  special  message  to  send  by  him  but  to  make  your 
nearer  and  special  acquaintance,  and  thus  be  as  the 
modern  "  spiritualist  "  say  in  direct  "  Communication  " 
with  our  invisible  friend.  You  can  not  imagine  how 
anxious  I  am  that  the  picture  (the  Foligno)  now  in 
process  of  execution  should  prove  a  great  success. 
There  is  so  many  speculations  and  wide  spread  interest 
in  our  Country  respecting  the  great  productions  of  the 
several  schools  and  artists,  that  I  feel  an  intense  desire 
that  your  pencilings  should  prove  a  model.  There  has 
been  a  little  disorder  in  our  Committee  on  "  Fine 
Arts "  originating  from  trifling  circumstances,  but 
widening  into  a  breach,  followed  by  the  resignation  of 
the  Chairman  of  that  Committee  Doctor  Magoon,  but 
I  hope  he  will  yet  retain  his  seat. 

The  attention  of  this  Committee  has  been  recently 
called  to  examine  a  Collection  of  choice  Engravings 
with  some  interesting  drawings  in  Water  Colors  &c, 
the  property  of  the  late  E.  P.  Clark  of  Boston,  valued 
at  some  $9,000,  perhaps  the  largest  in  America,  but 
before  our  Committee  on  Fine  Arts  could  get  together, 
(some  being  absent  from  home)  the  whole  catalogue 
was  sold  at  about  that  sum  to  a  gentleman  of  great 
wealth  in  Boston. 

A  Gentleman  here  has  called  our  attention  to  a  Col- 
lections of  original  drawings  &  Engravings  belonging 
to  the  Estate  of  the  Duke  of  Carsano  at  Naples  valued 
at  some  12,000  ducats  containing  1268  drawings  origi- 
nal by  the  old  masters  and  26000  Engravings  of  all 
times,  illustrating  the  history  &  progress  of  that  art, 
being  the  best  engravings  by  the  first  masters  of  that 


Matthew  Vassar  123 

art,  all  of  which  can  be  had  for  perhaps  8  to  10,000 
ducats,  but  this  collection  is  much  greater  than  the 
College  need  &  unless  it  could  be  purchased  &  divided 
with  some  other  parties,  we  shall  give  no  attention  to 
it.  I  regret  that  some  of  our  Committee  on  Fine  Art 
are  absent  from  the  City  for  I  wanted  to  say  some- 
thing in  this  letter  about  your  two  pictures  received. 
We  are  now  about  in  the  midst  of  Holloday  seasons, 
which  reminds  me  to  join  in  the  usual  compliments 
with  a  long  &  useful  life. 

I  remain  dear  Miss  Church.        Yours  very  truly 


December  30"   1863. 
Rev"^  E.  L.  Magoon  DD  Albany 

My  very  dear  friend.  If  you  only  Knew  how 

anxious  I  am  to  learn  your  final  decission  in  the  matter 
of  retaining  your  position  in  the  board  of  Trustees  in 
the  V.  F.  C.  I  know  you  would  not  consider  this  letter 
an  intrusion  on  your  valuable  time.  The  more  I  have 
reflected  upon  your  proposed  resignation,  the  more  I 
am  convinced  it  will  operate  to  the  serious  disadvantage 
of  our  enterprize.  We  have  among  us  many  good  sort 
of  people  that  are  often  shrugging  up  their  Shoulders 
accompanied  with  significent  gestures  as  to  the  final 
success  of  the  College  enterprize  and  whom  in  the 
event  of  a  failure  would  not  sob  aloud  with  regrets  or 
griefs. 

Oh  for  humanity  poor  humanity,  but  It  is  just  here 
as  elsewhere,  we  are  not  worse  (tho'  I  say  it  with  some 
reluctance)  than  those  on  whom  the  Tower  of  Sileam 
fell.     Do  my  dear  friend  think  twice  before  you  act 


124  Autobiography  and  Letters 

once  and  If  be  possibly  consistent  with  your  other  re- 
lations of  duty  retain  your  position  in  the  Board  &c. 

Wishing  you  &  yours  the  best  compliments  of  the 
season 

I  remain— dear  Sir 

Yours  truly 


LETTERS  OF  1864 
THE   YEAR  OF  CRISIS 

Among  the  persons  addressed  in  the  letters  of  this 
year  are  two  of  special  interest:  Henry  Barnard,  the 
editor  of  the  "  American  Journal  of  Education  "  from 
i855toi88i,a  great  educational  reformer,  and  Henry 
Ward  Beecher,  the  pastor  of  Plymouth  Church  in 
Brooklyn,  and  anti-slavery  leader. 

The  letters  show  important  plans  for  the  college 
developing:  the  purchase  of  an  art  gallery;  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  music  department;  the  possible  appoint- 
ment of  a  permanent  chaplain.  The  undercurrent  of 
the  letters  is  the  increasing  difference  of  opinion  be- 
tween the  Founder  and  President  Jewett:  on  the  date 
of  the  opening  of  the  college ;  on  the  omission  of  the 
word  "  female "  in  the  name  "  Vassar  Female  Col- 
lege " ;  on  the  extent  to  which  women  should  be  en- 
gaged as  professors  in  the  faculty;  on  the  adoption 
of  the  "  University  Plan  "  of  organization. 

These  differences  culminated  in  the  crisis  caused  by 
the  intercepted  letter  in  which  President  Jewett  criti- 
cized the  Founder, — -(a  letter  no  copy  of  which  has 
yet  been  found).  The  final  result  of  the  friction  was 
the  resignation  of  President  Jewett  and  the  appoint- 
ment of  John  Howard  Raymond  as  his  successor. 


125 


126        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


Tuesday  Morning  January  5*''  1864. 
Rev"*  E.  L.  Magoon  DD 
My  very  Kind  friend 
In  answer  to  your  valued  letter  of  12  pages  written 
on  New  Years  morning,  I  am  sincerely  &  heartly 
glad  to  notice  that  the  day  dawned  upon  you  so  cheer- 
fully and  auspiciously  "  that  all  the  world  was  left  be- 
hind "  and  passing  an  interval  at  the  Throne  of  Grace, 
you  so  kindly  turned  your  thought  to  me  by  acknowl- 
edging my  letter  &c*  however  much  I  felt  my  need 
of  your  friendly  advise,  I  could  hardly  amist  all  your 
Pastoral  and  social  duties  at  this  festival  season  expect 
a  reply.  You  have  however  favored  me,  and  of  such 
a  length  and  character  that  commends  both  your  pa- 
tience, generosity  and  goodness.  Its  fullness  and  depth 
of  Elucidations  in  the  matter  of  our  gallery  of  fine 
Arts,  abounds  with  important  suggestions  and  instruc- 
tions in  the  making  up  of  that  department,  and  it  was 
for  this  very  reason  that  I  felt  and  expressed  that  there 
was  wanting  in  our  Board  the  right  man  for  that 
place,  and  for  that  reason  urged  you  to  retain  your 
position,  your  artistic  taste  and  capacity  for  illustrat- 
ing, and  developing  those  sciences  by  appropriate  em- 
bellishments in  the  Gallery  of  Arts  in  V.  F.  College, 
and  it  was  specialy  the  wish  of  the  Founder  that  its 
walls  and  portfolios  should  be  adorned  with  the  most 
significant  expressive  &  instructive  educating  forces 
of  those  materials,  as  I  have  allways  believed  that  if 
man  delight  in  the  natural  material  works  of  his  maker 
they  will  greatly  aid  his  moral  and  spiritual  culture, 
and  thus  "  Look  "  up  from  nature  to  nature's  God, 
and  for  that  reason  (as  you  justly  observe)  "  We  want 


Matthew  Vassar  127 

a  Gallery  of  diversified  actualities  in  artistic  Elegance 
&c  to  illustrate  the  loftiest  principle  and  refine  the 
heart." 

Now  my  dear  friend  tell  me  how  to  do  this  thing 
best?  I  am  no  connoisseur  myself,  nor  do  I  Know  of 
any  one  in  our  honb^  board  besides  yourself  that  can, 
but  how  can  I  expect  you  to  leave  your  sacred  and  gra- 
cious calling  "  to  serve  tables  "  but  some  one  must, 
our  President  cherfully  would,  but  like  myself  has 
not  the  Capacity  or  he  would  not  have  ordered  from 
an  undistinguished  american  artist  four  pencillings  of 
so  large  a  size  at  so  great  cost  to  adorn  the  walls  of 
V.  F.  C.  had  their  cost  been  laid  out  in  several  original 
copies  (as  you  suggest)  by  different  celebrated  artists 
on  different  subjects  it  would  perhaps  not  been  amiss — 
however  let  this  now  pass — I  have  assumed  the  two 
other  pictures  now  in  process  of  execution  so  the  Trus- 
tees shall  not  complain. 

We  think  of  holding  the  February  meeting,  alltho' 
there  is  no  special  business  save  the  examination  of  the 
revised  plan  or  document  of  Organization  &  which 
could  be  without  material  disadvantage  deferred  to  our 
June  Meeting.  I  wish  my  health  would  allow  me  to 
come  up  to  Albany  to  see  you  which  I  want  to  very 
much  but  I  am  troubled  with  such  constant  vertigo  or 
dizziness  I  cannot,  I  am  now  writing  these  lines  aside 
of  my  couch  in  my  own  domicil  as  I  cannot  go  to  the 
Office,  nor  have  I  been  for  several  days,  you  will  please 
therefore  to  excuse  this  hasten  written  sheet,  also  ink 
it  having  been  frozen 

Will  you  not  allow  your  letter  thrown  into  a  differ- 
ent form  as  you  may  prefer  to  be  read  as  your  report 
at  our  next  meeting  of  Trustees.    If  you  will,  it  will 


128        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

gratify  me,  and  may  if  you  wish  be  regarded  as  at 
my  suggestion.  If  it  is  possible  for  me  to  come  up 
the  last  of  this  or  the  early  part  of  next  week  I  will, 
therefore  please  to  inform  me  what  days  you  are 
mostly  at  leasure.  With  my  warmest  regards  to  you 
&  yours, 

I  remain  Truly  yours  &c 


Jan''^  15*^  1864. 
E.  L.  Magoon  DD 

My  dear  friend.  Since  our  short  and  pleasant  in- 
terview at  your  domicil  on  Wednesday  I  have  been 
exercising  my  thoughts  on  the  suggestions  you  then 
made  as  to  the  manner  of  making  up  our  Gallery  of 
Art,  convinced  as  I  am,  if  properly  and  artistictly  ar- 
range will  do  more  or  at  least  as  much  as  any  other 
appropriation  to  the  College  in  securing  a  favorable 
public  estimation  of  the  Institution  and  therefore  as 
you  justly  remarked  its  special  purpose  should  be  to 
elevate  and  imbue  the  minds  of  the  pupils  with  the 
most  refined  and  perfect  specimens  illustrating  that 
science,  I  do  not  now  speak  of  its  advantages  in  its 
moral  bearings ;  which  by  so  doing  would  extend  these 
remarks  beyond  my  present  purpose — suffice  to  say  I 
want  our  College  to  possess  your  Collections,  but  as 
that  is  a  matter  that  more  especially  belong  to  the 
Committee  in  that  department  I  shall  wave  further 
considerations  upon  it  till  their  next  meeting.  I  was 
out  to  the  College  Buildings  yesterday.  The  principal 
room  is  the  Library  apartment, — is  there  any  method 
of  hanging  pictures  around  its  walls  than  the  manner 
you  have  adopted,  viz.  to  avoid  the  least  mutulation. 


Matthew  Vassar  129 

of  the  walls.  After  our  separation  yesterday,  I  could 
not  help  thinking  what  a  narrow  escape  you  had  from 
fire  within  the  short  space  of  another  hour  all  would 
have  been  ended  in  a  mass  of  ruins — how  great  issues 
hangs  in  a  thread  of  time,  Such  are  the  chances  of  life, 
we  only  exist  by  moments,  the  next  perhaps  we  are  in 
eternity.  Why  cannot  man  fully  apprehend  the 
thought,  "  to  be  or  not  to  be  thats  the  Question."  Our 
President  left  home  yesterday  noon  for  N.  York  to 
meet  by  appointment  some  gentlemen  whom  are  ap- 
plicants in  the  professional  department  of  music — 
Jewett  regards  this  department  as  very  important 
branch  of  instruction,  both  for  the  reputation  and 
pecuniairy  advantages  of  the  College.  We  have  some 
30  defened  Pianoforte  rooms  for  Practise,  converging 
halls  or  passage  ways  to  the  platform  of  the  great 
audience  room  which  will  seat  some  1000  or  more 
persons. 

There  was  one  topic  which  I  had  not  time  to  con- 
sult you  upon  viz.  The  policy  of  a  permanent  stated 
Chaplainship  or  the  duties  of  that  office  to  be  self  im- 
posed by  the  different  religious  instructors  in  the  In- 
stitution. There  has  been  much  discussion  on  this 
point  and  there  is  a  diversity  of  opinions — while  on  the 
one  hand  we  wish  to  avoid  the  imputation  of  sectarians, 
on  the  other  we  must  take  care  not  to  incline  too  far 
from  true  Catholic  evangelical  sentiments  and  prac- 
tise. It  is  therefore  by  this  middle  course  we  hope  to 
demonstrate  to  the  public  that  V.  F.  C.  is  the  peoples 
College,  and  whatever  difference  there  may  be  in  creeds 
there  is  not  any  in  the  great  fundamental  truth  of  the 
precious  bible,  without  note  or  comment. 

What  think  you  of  this  view — am  /  right  if  I  have 


130        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

my  own  special  religious  views  of  doctrines — should 
I  insist  upon  their  adoption  by  others  who  may  differ 
with  me — but  I  leave  the  further  discussion  of  this  till 
we  next  meet, — I  reported  our  visit  to  your  house  to 
Prof.  Jewett  and  my  Nephew  M.  V.  J""  who  will  call 
and  see  you  and  your  collections  soon. 
I  remain  Yours  truly 


Copy  of  a  letter  to  a  intimate  friend  ^ 
written  in  July  1862. 
My  dear  friend  Your  esteemed  favors  of  the 
29***  and  31^*  Ult",  the  latter  confidential  were  duly 
received,  and  it  gives  me  much  pleasure  not  only  to 
read  them  but  to  answer  them,  I  must  however  do  so 
as  briefly  as  possible  as  I  wish  you  to  be  possessed  of 
my  views  in  the  important  suggestions  made  to  me  in 
the  latter  as  soon  as  possible  in  order  to  relieve  your 
mind.  Allow  me  then  to  remark  that  it  is  the  first 
intimation  that  I  have  had  of  the  intention  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  making  any  appointments  of  Offi- 
cers in  the  V.  F.  C.  at  their  meeting  and  if  any  such 
purposes  are  contemplated  I  shall  oppose  it  on  the 
ground  of  premature  policy,  and  more  especially  in 
the  absence  of  our  President,  I  think  you  may  dismiss 
your  fears  at  once  in  that  matter,  besides  when  the 
proper  time  come  to  fill  the  respective  official  depart- 
ments there  will  likely  be  a  Councel  appointed  to 
confer  with  the  President  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  rec- 
ommend or  nominate  to  the  Board  suitable  persons 
for  the  respective  departments,  I  have  long  since 
formed  my  opinion  as  to  the  Kind  and  qualifications 

1  This  letter  is  out  of  chronological  order  in  the  copy-book  as  it  it  here. 


Matthew  Vassar  131 

of  persons  adapted  to  fill  these  stations — I  profess  to 
know  something  of  men  and  things,  their  fitness  for 
posts  and  places,  and  while  the  hoary  head  is  often  the 
seat  of  wisdom,  it  is  not  allways  the  vehicle  for  great 
mental  action,  it  cannot  give  that  inspiration  to  the 
youthfuU  mind  as  those  in  nearer  affinity  of  years.  It 
takes  "  Young  America  "  to  advance  to  be  the  pioner 
of  progression,  the  fathers  to  hold  on  to  the  old  home- 
stead, and  this  rule  applies  to  every  principle  of  human 
pursuits  &  actions.  There  must  not  be,  and  there 
will  not  be  with  my  consent  a  nursery  opened  in  V.  F. 
C.  for  mere  sinecures;  influences  are  constantly  working 
to  this  end  in  the  Church,  State  and  public  institutions 
of  our  Country.  Nothing  is  so  destructive  to  my  Bee- 
Apiary  at  Springside  as  the  confounded  old  Drones 
bees,  they  neither  gather  honey  themselves,  nor  let 
those  that  would  be  busy,  work.  I  make  no  special 
application  of  this  idea  to  any  person  but  only  as  a 
general  principle.  I  set  out  with  no  favoritism  as  such 
in  the  beginning  of  our  enterprize  and  intend  if  God 
spare  my  life  to  carry  it  out.  I  wish  our  Institution 
to  be  free  from  such  biases  as  we  purpose  to  have  it 
free  from  sectarian  or  familiy  biases,  whatever  is  for 
the  best  good  of  our  Institution  be  the  Motto  for  all 
time. 

I  have  now  covered  one  side  of  my  sheet  and  must 
look  it  over  to  see  what  I  have  written  for  my  thoughts 
go  as  swift  as  a  mill  race,  and  leaves  about  as  much 
impression  on  the  memory  as  the  flowing  waters  on 
the  sides  of  the  conduct.  The  first  thing  that  now  ar- 
rest my  attention  in  your  note  to  be  noted  is  the  com- 
pliments passed  respecting  my  mental  vigor  &c^;  did 
I  not  believe  you  to  me  my  true  friend  I  would  take  it 


132        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

to  be  simple  bombast.  I  shall  try  to  heed  your  admo- 
nition "  not  to  weary  myself  too  much  about  the  Col- 
lege "  altho'  you  have  set  me  a  severe  task,  it  is  so 
sterotyped  upon  my  brain,  I  can  think  of  nothing  else. 
Day  before  yesterday  I  took  my  daily  round  (with  our 
old  friend  and  townsman  late  from  now  19 
years  absent)     &c.&c. 


January  19"  1864. 
Professor  M  B.  Anderson  LLD 
My  dear  friend 
It  is  told  of  one  just  from  the  Emeralds  IsP  that 
some  dock  sharper  sold  him  an  Owl  for  a  parrot;  in 
passing  to  his  Boarding  house  a  gentleman  enquired 
of  Pat  what  he  had  there,  a  Parrot  your  honor,  well 
can  he  talk  much,  not  yet  your  honor,  but  he  will  shortly 
be  after  it,  for  he  keeps  up  a  good  deal  of  thinking. 
Now  I  am  much  in  the  same  predicament  as  the  Irish- 
mans  parrot  with  large  glossy  eyes  waiting  for  twi- 
light to  set  in  so  that  I  can  see  for  I  have  been  so  long 
surrounded  with  the  brillancy  of  professional  acumen, 
that  I  have  almost  lost  all  my  common  sense.  Now 
that  our  College  Edifice  is  drawing  near  to  completion, 
and  Out  Buildings  &  Ornamental  grounds  finished  up 
or  at  least  will  be  by  the  ensuing  fall,  the  subject  of 
furnishing  &  opening  the  College  begins  to  engross 
our  attention.  We  possibly  could  by  strong  pressure 
of  our  mental  &  physical  muscles  get  prepared  to  fix 
the  day  on  the  i^*  September  next,  but  this  must  be  ac- 
complished by  stirring  &  active  efforts  and  at  the 
Sacrifice  of  30  to  40  perCent  advance  for  war  prices 
on  all  its  Interior  equipments,  beds  &  bedding,  furni- 


Matthew  Vassar  133 

ture,  Kitchen  &  culinalry  appendages.  The  question 
therefore  to  determine  is  shall  we  go  on  regardless  of 
difference  in  values  between  peace  &  war  times  or 
wait  quietly  a  year  or  two  for  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion  &  return  of  Specie  Currency.  True  our  as- 
sets (some  of  them  are  inflated  by  this  paper  Currency, 
&  will  go  down  on  the  return  of  peace  but  not  equal 
to  the  amount  of  other  Kind  values.  Our  College  as- 
sets will  now  average  an  interest  of  7prC.  Pr  Annum. 
Would  it  be  wise  therefore  to  take  the  last  eggs  out 
of  their  nest  &  put  them  into  brick,  Stone  &  Mor- 
tar. Prof  Jewett  is  rather  a  "  Young  America  "  he  is 
for  going  ahead,  our  Executive  Committee  are  for 
going  slow,  sure  &  strong,  not  for  one  day  only,  but 
for  generations  after  us,  that  is,  lay  our  foundation 
so  deep  that  it  will  endure  for  ages,  not  kill  the  Goose 
for  sake  of  her  golden  egg.  I  suppose  you  have  been 
informed  by  Prof  Jewett  of  our  contemplated  meet- 
ing next  month  with  its  business  objects,  the  chief  of 
which  will  be  the  adoption  of  his  plan  of  "  Organiza- 
tion "  and  perhaps  there  may  be  some  attempts  at 
official  appointments.  Well,  are  you  prepared  to  meet 
this  question.  I  shall  oppose  all  appointments  that  in- 
volve Out-goes  too  early,  and  I  am  not  so  sure  but 
some  other  system  can  be  adopted  whereby  fixed  emol- 
uments to  Professors  &  others  may  be  substituted 
for  working  sliding  scale,  it  is  much  more  easy  to  fol- 
low in  the  wake  of  old  customs,  than  to  strike  out  new 
ones.  The  present  age  has  unfolded  if  not  new  things, 
a  new  way  of  doing  Old  ones.  Once  the  old  Stage 
coach  had  its  rule  of  Fares  regulated  according  to  the 
distance  travelled,  now  the  modern  "  Omnibusses  "  re- 
gards not  space  but  fix  the  fares  long  or  short  at  one 


134        ^^^  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

price.  The  modern  Hotels  charges  for  what  you  or- 
der not  for  what  you  eat  and  House  is  furnished  by 
the  owner  with  all  its  equipments  to  the  Landlord, 
and  he  sails  the  Ship,  how  would  such  plan  work  for 
our  College,  The  Trustees  furnish  &  rent  the  Build- 
ings &  appurtenances  to  one,  two  or  more  Pro- 
fessors or  Educators  at  a  certain  perCentage  on  each 
pupil,  over  a  minimum  number.  I  have  not  fixed  the 
rule  but  it  should  necessarily  be  on  a  sliding  scale,  On 
this  principle  also  the  Educational  department  may 
be  based,  similar  to  the  present,  University  plan,  im- 
part to  the  pupils  what  learning  they  are  able  to  pay 
for  &  give  them  diplomas  for  what  they  have  learnt. 
The  truth  is  the  age  is  rapidly  throwing  aside  old  forms 
&  customs  and  adopting  systems  more  in  harmony 
with  the  genius  of  the  american  people,  but  I  have 
wrote  enough  to  tire  you  I  fear,  allow  me  just  to  say 
that  I  have  read  your  articles  in  the  Examiner  on  the 
condition  of  english  Society  &c*  with  much  interest 
and  shall  preserve  them  to  read  over  again  at  another 
day. 

Hoping  to  see  you  at  or  before  the  February  meet- 
ing I  remain  Yours  &c 
P.  S.  I  have  thrown  out  the  above  hints  on  the  College 
Organization,  Professors  &c*  at  random  because  I 
Know  you  to  be  well  posted  on  these  subjects  and  may 
have  learnt  something  during  your  late  tour  in  Europe. 

When  you  come  to  the  february  meeting,  please  to 
make  my  domicil  your  quarters  for  the  time  being. 

If  you  take  the  H.  River  Carrs  on  Monday  I  will 
meet  you  at  the  depot  at  any  hour  you  name  to  arrive. 

I  expect  or  at  least  shall  invite  D'.  Magoon  to  be 
our  guest  on  that  occasion.  Yours  &c* 


Matthew  Vassar  135 


Poughkeepsie  January  25"  1864. 
My  dear  M"  Hale 

I  am  in  receipt  of  your  Kind  &  valued  note  p" 
President  Jewett  of  the  19"  Current  and  have  read 
over  and  given  your  suggestions  the  most  profound 
consideration.  At  the  incipient  stage  of  the  contem- 
plated scheme  (Vassar  F.  College)  before  lisping  the 
idea  to  any  mortal,  I  first  conferred  with  my  friend 
Prof.  Jewett  whom  had  been  extensively  engaged  at 
the  South  in  the  Education  of  Ladies,  and  from  whom 
I  not  only  received  a  full  indorsement  of  my  views,  but 
he  largely  contributed  to  aid  me  in  its  further  develope- 
ment  &  thus  resulted  in  my  poor  endeavours  to  do 
what  I  intimated  at  my  brief  opening  address  at  the 
February  meeting  61. 

I  only  add  that  our  Executive  Committee  has  au- 
thorized the  publication  of  the  article  in  the  January 
Number  of  your  Ladys  Book  that  is,  our  secular  paper 
has  solicited  the  permission  thus  signifying  the  interest 
they  take  in  the  view  of  the  article,  by  republishing  it 
at  their  own  Cost.  The  subject  of  Women  Professors 
&  Teachers  is  now  fairly  before  our  Trustees,  who 
at  their  Meeting  23^  proximo  will  report  their  views, 
and  decide  if  it  can  be  safely  adopted  in  our  College 
at  the  opening.  The  only  question  that  can  possibly 
arise,  is  whether  we  can  obtain  prominent  destinguished 
Ladies  instructors  to  fill  the  several  chairs.  Miss 
Maria  Mitchell  of  Nantucket  had  been  named  by  a 
gentleman  of  our  Board  of  Trustees  as  Professor  of 
Astronomy,  but  the  planing  &  erection  of  the  Ob- 
servatory having  been  under  the  Superintendance  of 
Professor    Farrar    late   of    Elmira    Female    College 


136        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

N.  Y.,  It  is  thought  that  the  chair  may  be  offered 
to  him. 

Yours  very  truly  &  respectfully 


January  28*''  1864. 
Prof.  M.  B  Anderson  LLD. 

My  dear  friend.  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  very  Kind 
and  valued  letter  of  the  25^*"  inst.  and  I  scarcely  Know 
which  most  to  approve,  your  sensible  views  upon  the 
propriety  of  opening  the  College  when  the  buildings  is 
finished,  or  wait  untill  our  terrible  rebellion  is  sub- 
stantially put  down.  What  we  would  gain  on  the  one 
hand  as  you  justly  observe,  we  might  loose  on  the 
other,  but  I  shall  use  my  endeavours  to  push  forwards 
the  structure  of  the  College  Building  &  appendages  as 
fast  as  possible  avoiding  extraordinary  outlays.  It  is 
one  thing  to  do  these  things  well  looking  to  the  future 
durability  and  another  thing  doing  them  imperfectly. 
It  is  a  massive  structure  of  masonry,  all  inside  parti- 
tions walls  solid  brick  work,  and  will  take  at  least  one 
Summer  to  thoroughly  season  the  whole.  Thus  far 
have  allowed  no  fires  inside  the  building,  the  walls  are 
drying  gradually,  but  still  their  is  a  cold  dampness 
which  it  will  take  all  of  a  Summer  to  remove.  If  in 
case  we  should  open  the  College  before  it  was  thor- 
oughly dry  and  extraordinairy  cases  of  Sickness  happen 
to  the  inmates,  it  would  be  at  once  ascribed  to  the  loca- 
tion, especially  by  those  who  generally  wish  to  look 
on  the  wrong  side  of  competitors  doings.  It  is  true 
we  could  hasten  the  drying  of  the  interior  walls  by  our 
Steam  heating  apparatus  which  we  have  decided  upon 
with  the  gass  works  to  be  placed  in  a  seperate  build- 


Matthew  Vassar  137 

ing  200  feet  from  the  main  and  75  below  the  founda- 
tion of  the  walls.  These  buildings  will  be  located  on 
the  rear  in  line  with  the  Astronomical  Observatory 
now  under  construction 

I  am  glad  to  hear  that  your  judgment  indorses  the 
wisdom  of  my  course  in  the  matter  of  completing  the 
Structure  &c  at  once,  when  that  is  done,  we  shall  not 
be  troubled  with  workmen  &  others  on  the  premises 
&  thus  avoid  I  think  both  expense  and  annoyances. 
Our  Executive  Committe  are  now  making  out  a  Sched- 
ule of  Furnitures  that  is  wanted  with  other  equipments 
&c  including  the  Professors  houses  which  by  the  bye  the 
latter  admits  consideration  whether  the  College  had 
better  furnish  those  apartments  or  the  Professors,  some 
of  them  (if  we  have  men)  may  have  furnitures  & 
family^  and  if  Widows  Ladies  Teachers  some  may  be 
thus  situated  also  they  may  not  all  be  single  Women. 
This  is  a  question  (-furniture)  of  some  importance. 
I**  The  owner  would  allways  take  better  care  of  their 
own  property  than  other  peoples 
2^  There  might  be  some  objection  to  the  lugging  of 
Furniture  to  and  from  into  the  building  in  case  of  re- 
moval to  say  nothing  of  its  fitness,  cleanlines  &c*&c 
3^  It  (-if  furnished  by  the  College)  would  somewhat 
reduce  the  annual  pay  of  the  respective  chairs.  You 
know  our  first  plan  was  to  build  seperate  houses  for  the 
Professors  on  the  College  grounds,  leaving  the  only 
officer  President  &  family  in  the  building — but  I  will 
not  enlarge  as  I  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting 
you  so  very  soon  and  at  my  own  domicil.  I  only  add 
that  in  a  conversation  with  Prof.  Jewett  the  other  day 
I  believe  he  is  half  persuaded  to  have  all  female  Pro- 
fessorships &  teacher  if  they  are  to  be  had  of  a  high 


138        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

order.  Let  us  all  deliberate  well  upon  this  point,  I 
regard  it  as  a  very  important  consideration  I  send 
you  Pr.  Mail  a  Sheet  containing  an  article  from  the 
Ladies  Book  January  number,  read  it  &  let  me  Know 
what  you  think  of  it 

Yours  truly 
P  S.  Call  on  your  way  on  Monday  22^  February  upon 
D'  Magoon  and  take  a  look  at  his  Collections  of  fine 
Arts,  then  you  &  him  take  the  Cars  at  3  P  M.  and 
on  your  arrival  at  6  o'clock  take  a  Hack  at  Depot  and 
come  up  directly  to  my  house. 


February  2^  1864. 
Honb^  Henry  Barnarde 
Dear  Sir 

It  is  a  long  time  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  ex- 
change of  letters  with  you  but  I  have  not  the  less  often 
had  you  in  my  thoughts,  and  now  as  our  College  Edi- 
fice is  drawing  near  to  completion  we  are  busying  our- 
selves upon  the  plan  of  its  organization,  official  ap- 
pointees &c*  &c^  It  is  not  allways  the  best  results  are 
obtained  from  past  theory's  and  practise,  yet  if  one 
takes  a  step  forward  they  are  usually  denounced  as 
visionary,  humbugs  hd". 

Some  30  years  ago  (I  will  not  now  state  the  causes) 
I  was  led  to  idea  that  as  woman  had  received  from  her 
Creator  the  same  intellectual  constitution  as  man  she 
had  the  same  right  to  all  its  advantages.  Now  with 
a  single  purpose  more  fully  to  illustrate  that  idea  we 
want  to  begin  our  College  with  Female  Professors  & 
teachers  If  they  can  be  had  in  America  fitly  qualified, 
except  in  a  few  departments,  and  it  would  give  me 


Matthew  Vassar  139 

great  pleasure  to  Know  your  opinion  on  this  subject 
before  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  on  the 
23**  inst.  If  it  is  not  taxing  your  valuable  time  too 
much  I  should  be  very  glad  to  hear  from  you. 

I  remain  Dear  Sir 

M.  V. 
P  S.  There  is  a  diversity  of  opinion  in  our  Board  of 
Trustees  on  this  question  and  is  causing  no  little  dis- 
cussion.    With  your  permission  would  lay  your  reply 
to  this  letter  before  them.  M  V. 


February  6*^  1864. 
Rev^  Ch'  A.  Raymond 

My  dear  Sir  I  am  very  busy  just  now  in  writing 
out  what  I  want  to  say  to  our  Board  of  Trustees  of 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  23^  proximo  and  in  so  doing 
I  shall  try  to  embody  such  thoughts  and  ideas  as  will 
best  convey  my  original  idea  on  the  education  of 
woman,  and  for  which  I  especially  gave  the  endow- 
ment of  $408,000  for  the  building  of  the  College, 
ignoring  as  much  of  the  old  Systems  of  instruction  as 
I  deemed  wrong  and  intriducing  such  new  ones  as  I 
believed  to  be  right  and  that  plan  is  substantially  akin 
to  the  one  which  we  often  talk**  over  and  which  you 
wrote  me  so  copiously  about  while  Professor  Jewett 
was  in  Europe  in  1862,  and  which  I  stated  more  or 
less  in  my  correspondence  with  him  in  his  absence 
abroad.  Some  time  after  Prof.  Jewett  returned  home 
he  requested  the  use  of  these  (his  letter  to  me)  letters 
a  little  while  to  refresh  his  memory  &  I  loaned  them 
to  him  which  together  with  mine  to  him  he  says  he 
burnt  up,  therefore  I  have  not  a  scrap  of  any  corre- 


140        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

spondence  with  Prof.  J.  during  his  professional  tour 
to  Europe  in  1862.  I  have  since  much  regretted  this 
circumstance  as  I  want  them  occasionally  for  refer- 
ences. 

With  regard  to  Teachers,  Instructors  &c*  and  the 
System  of  Education  I  am  of  the  same  mind  as  I  were 
some  20  years  ago  viz  Woman  to  educate  her  sex. 
First  the  Mother,  then  a  Female  Teacher,  and  then 
the  System  allways  to  be  the  most  Simple,  comprehen- 
sive and  least  expensive.  I  then  Knew  nothing  or  next 
to  nothing  about  Colleges  or  University^  as  I  had 
never  studied  them,  nor  had  I  ever  went  to  either  for 
instruction — all  I  wanted  was  the  best  that  is  the  most 
direct  and  effectual  way  to  elevate  woman  in  the  high- 
est sphere  of  such  Knowledge  as  God  and  nature  has 
designed  her,  and  after  receiving  your  Several  letters 
in  62  on  this  subject  they  enlightened  my  mind  still 
further  and  it  was  by  these  combinations  of  ideas  that 
finally  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  them.  Prof  Jewett 
however  differed  from  me  and  has  to  this  day  altho' 
I  really  think  his  mind  has  underwent  a  change.  The 
subject  of  Organization  is  now  fairly  up  &  will  be 
laid  before  the  Trustees  23*^  Inst,  and  will  write  you 
the  result  Yours  truly 


Poughkeepsie  February  6th  1864. 
Professor  M.  B.  Anderson  LLD 

Dear  Sir.  Allow  me  to  occupy  a  moment  of  your 
time,  merely  to  say  that  I  am  preparing  my  address  to 
be  read  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
which  address  will  fully  define  my  views  in  regard  to 
the   Education   of  Woman,   embracing  in   its   policy 


Matthew  Vassar  141 

Woman  as  Educator  of  Woman,  I  may  have  some 
difficulty  at  first  in  finding  competent  Educators  "  Then 
as  to  the  System  to  be  adopted  in  the  Organization  " 
whether  we  shall  strictly  adhere  to  the  University  plan 
or  modify  it  in  some  way  to  suit  our  speciality.  Jewett 
goes  the  old  College  System  with  some  slight  modifi- 
cations but  I  believe  will  yield  something  further  for 
the  sake  of  harmony.  If  you  come  to  my  house  the 
evening  before  the  Meeting  I  will  read  over  to  you 
my  address  embracing  my  views  etc. 

Yours  truly, 


February  26*^  1864 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Hale 
Dear  Madame 
Your  favor  of  the  19*''  Current  came  duly  to  hand, 
but  at  a  moment  when  I  was  intensily  engaged  in  pre- 
paring for  a  special  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  to  review  the  plan  of  Organization  &c*  of 
the  College  previously  submitted  to  them,  one  of  which 
I  believe  I  sent  you.  This  meeting  was  fully  attended, 
much  discussion  on  various  topics  transpired,  and  espe- 
cially as  regards  the  System  of  instruction  &  the  pro- 
fessional appointees  of  the  College — thus  far  my  views 
in  long  unison  with  yours  in  favor  of  Ladies  teachers 
has  gained  ground,  and  I  am  encouraged  to  believe, 
that  if  competent  females  can  be  obtained,  every  one 
of  them  will  be  filled  by  that  sex,  and  if  not  at  the  open- 
ing will  soon  thereafter.  As  soon  as  they  can  be  printed 
will  send  you  my  address  to  the  Board  and  that  of 
Doctor  Magoon,  Chairman  on  the  Committee  of  Art 
on  the  influence  of  fine  Arts  upon  Society.    Our  Board 


142        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

is  composed  of  men  of  various  talents  most  happily 
divided  to  promote  the  material  &  litterary  advance- 
ment of  the  Institution.  Such  a  combination  of  talent 
is  rarely  to  be  found  in  any  Board. 

Your  wishes  in  the  matter  of  change  in  the  College 
name  was  fully  discussed.  B.  I.  Lossing  and  several 
others  strenously  advocating  its  adoption,  and  others 
opposing — the  most  efficient  of  these  latter  were  D"" 
Bishop  of  N.  Y.  D'  Anderson  of  Rochester  &  D' 
Raymond  of  Brooklyn.  The  final  question  of  its  adop- 
tion however  was  deferred  until  the  regular  annual 
meeting  in  June.  It  was  resolved  that  the  utmost  ex- 
ertion be  made  to  open  the  College  in  Sepf  next, 
therefore  if  you  should  in  the  intermediate  time  hear 
of  any  distinguished  Ladies  highly  qualified  to  fill 
either  of  the  Chairs,  please  to  inform  me. 

The  Success  of  all  true  progress  is  earnestness,  ability 
&  perserverance  with  moderation.  Men  long  wedded 
to  old  customs  will  reluctantly  consent  to  change  their 
opinions,  altho'  fully  convinced  of  their  wrong,  I 
therefore  have  advised  to  begin  our  College  with  only 
a  portion  of  the  chairs  occupied  by  Ladies  teachers, 
ultimately  we  can  make  them  for  ourselves.  I  do  not 
think  our  President  heartily  in  favor  of  your  idea  of 
either  altering  the  name  of  the  College  or  adopting  the 
policy  of  Ladies  Professorship  in  general.  I  believe 
I  informed  you  of  having  caused  to  be  printed  a  num- 
ber of  Copies  of  your  sons  article  on  that  subject.  The 
idea  is  now  fully  before  the  public.  We  hope  to  de- 
velope  it  more  largely. 

With  much  respect 

Yours  &c 


Matthew  Vassar  143 


March  ii*''  1864. 
Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hale. 

Dear  Madame 

I  send  you  by  this  day's  mail  an  abstract  of  my  ad- 
dress delivered  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  V.  F.  College  on  the  23*^  Ultimo.  As 
you  have  heretofore  expressed  your  Kind  sentiment 
to  me  &  my  Enterprize  and  also  thro'  the  public  Jour- 
nal favoring  the  advancement  of  womans  social  natural 
rights  in  the  departments  of  Knowledge,  and  of  her 
fitness  and  adaptation  to  promote  the  culture  of  her 
own  sex,  I  take  the  liberty  of  sending  you  the  above 
and  if  you  think  It  worthy  to  give  it  a  place  in  your 
valuable  Journal  (Ladys  Book)  so  that  it  may  be  more 
extensively  read  by  the  Ladles  of  our  Country,  than  if 
published  in  other  secular  Journals. 

Hoping  this  will  find  you  in  health  &c  I  remain 

Yours  truly 


March  23^  1864 
M"  Sarah  J.  Hale. 

My  dear  M"  Hale. 
Yours  of  the  19*^  Current  have  just  reached  me, 
and  as  heretofore  I  do  always  value  every  article  from 
your  pen,  not  perhaps  because  they  abound  with  vig- 
orous Sentiments  or  finished  Sentences  but  because  of 
their  truthfulness,  besides  I  feel  happy  to  have  one  by 
my  side  whose  idea  Is,  that  Womans  mental  powers  In 
this  world  are  unappreciated  or,  If  appreciated.  Custom 
has  prevented  her  from  employing  them.   It  is  this  idea 


144        -^^^  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

that  has  given  rise  to  much  discussion  between  Presi- 
dent Jewett  and  myself,  he  was  willing  to  grant  to  me 
all  my  claim  in  this  particular  if  I  left  him  a  majority 
of  male  Professors  in  the  College,  while  I  desired  and 
have  since  demanded  that  every  chair  possible  shall  be 
filled  by  Women,  and  now  I  might  as  well  say  in  this 
connection  that  by  pressing  this  idea  upon  him  that 
"  Vassar  College  "  shall  be  a  College  for  Women,  and 
not  men  in  all  its  departments  with  some  other  mat- 
ters (which  I  will  not  trouble  you  with)  may  possibly 
lead  to  the  Selection  of  some  other  person  to  fill  that 
chair,  however  as  you  regard  me  the  true  friend  of 
Women  and  I  am  desirous  to  avoid  any  Convulsion  in 
our  Board,  further  action  will  be  delay*^  untill  the 
meeting  of  the  28^^  June.  My  desire  is  now  and  al- 
ways has  been  to  make  our  College,  not  only  a  Col- 
lege to  educate  Women,  but  a  College  of  instruction 
by  women.  Will  you  my  dear  M""^  Hale  continue  to 
support  me  in  these  views.  I  have  already  written 
Miss  Maria  Mitchell  (thro'  a  friend)  and  hope  we  may 
agree  upon  her  as  Professor  of  Astronomy.  A  letter 
from  her  this  day  encourages  me  to  hope  Success.  I 
shall  take  an  early  opportunity  to  see  M".  L.  A.  Cud- 
delby  or  write  to  her  and  inform  her  of  your  friend- 
ship and  of  my  desire  to  avail  myself  of  any  Suggestion 
she  may  make.  D'  Jewett  to  whom  you  wrote  on  the 
Subject  has  not  mentioned  her  name  to  me.  With  re- 
gard to  the  Chaplancy  &  Chair  of  moral  philosophy 
&c*  D'  J.  wanted  these  filled  with  Baptist,  but  while 
I  was  a  Baptist  by  birth,  my  father  &  mother  Bap- 
tists by  profession,  have  attended  Baptist  Church  for 
over  60  years,  was  a  Baptist  in  principle,  built  a  Bap- 
tist Edifice  in  1 840  in  this  city  at  my  own  cost  of  $25000 


Matthew  Vassar  145 

and  gave  to  the  Society  and  from  that  time  down  to 
this  very  hour  contributed  annually  3  to  550$  pr  year 
for  the  Support  of  a  Baptist  ministry  &c*,  yet  I  hold 
all  Christians  alike  and  thus  wish  to  carry  out  the 
principle  that  all  who  truly  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
and  do  his  Will  are  brethern,  outward  forms  of  Re- 
ligon  are  but  aids,  vitality  or  eternal  life  begins  &  end 
within  the  heart  and  not  the  head  we  must  be  born 
again.  So  much  for  my  Sectarianism. 
I  remain  dear  M"  Hale 

Yours  &c* 


* 

April  20  1864 
My  dear  M"  Hale 

Yours  of  the  31"  Ulto.  is  received  and  my  apology 
for  omitting  to  remark  in  my  former  letters  on  the 
Subject  of  the  Faculty  being  all  Ladies,  was  for  the 
very  reason  that  I  was  apprehensive  that  the  Trustees 
would  not  all  of  them  yield  to  the  suggestion,  nor 
were  I  sure  that  it  would  be  fully  sustained  if  they  did 
by  public  opinion,  but  throwing  out  my  idea  in  advance 
and  working  up  to  it  prospectively  would  cause  less 
friction  or  opposition.  So  also  with  regard  to  the 
change  of  name  or  title  of  the  College,  which  would 
require  Legislature  authority  or  permission  which  I 
approve,  so  that  when  the  time  comes  for  me  to  do- 
nate a  further  sum  to  the  Institution  I  shall  make  this 
point  (with  some  other  matters)  a  condition  of  the 
Gift,  which  will  exert  an  influence  in  the  change,  and 
thus  meet  out  your  views  &  mine.  Whatever  remarks 
therefore  you  may  think  proper  to  make  in  this  mat- 


146        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

ter  in  your  next  number  of  the  Ladys  book  I  hope  you 
will  do  so  in  accordance  with  these  views  but  upon 
your  own  authority,  as  I  do  not  wish  in  this  stage  of 
the  Enterprize  to  be  fully  committed  for  policys  Sake. 
I  wrote  Mrs.  Cuddehy  &  received  an  answer  and  at 
her  solicitation  of  being  further  informed  on  the  plan 
of  Organization  &c*  wrote  her  again  today. 

I  will  Send  your  Son  H.  Hale  Esq  my  address  this 
afternoon.  Yours  truly 


April  27*'*  1864. 
Rev^  Henry  Ward  Beecher 

Altho'  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  your  personal  ac- 
quaintance, I  venture  to  address  you  without  further 
apology.  A  vacancy  has  recently  occurred  in  our  Board 
of  Trustees  in  the  Vassar  Female  College  by  the  resig- 
nation of  President  Jewett;  for  particulars  I  beg  leave 
to  refer  to  our  mutual  friend  Prof  Jno  H.  Raymond 
LLD,  and  it  being  desirable  to  fill  the  vacancy  speedily 
to  avoid  conflicting  opinions  by  delay,  I  am  prompted 
after  consultation  with  several  members  of  the  Board 
to  solicite  you  to  accept  the  nomination  as  Trustee, 
and  if  I  receive  your  favorable  answer  by  the  29^^ 
Inst,  by  M""  Raymond  (at  which  time  a  meeting  will 
be  held  to  fill  the  Chair  of  Presidency)  I  will  propose 
your  name.  I  need  not  assure  you  that  your  acceptance 
would  be  highly  gratifying  to  the  entire  Board  &  the 
whole  community. 

Yours  very  truly  &  respectfully, 


Matthew  Vassar  147 


April  if^  1864. 
Prof.  Jno.  H.  Raymond  LLD. 
Dear  Sir 

At  my  request  M""  Swan  saw  you  recently  in  refer- 
ence to  M"*  Beecher  being  placed  on  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  It  seems  that  in  the  meeting  in  New  York 
yesterday  he  was  Compelled  in  regard  to  truth  & 
fairness  to  state  what  my  wishes  were  &  that  some 
of  the  gentlemen  there  present  had  doubts  as  to  the 
propriety  or  desirableness  of  that  appointment.  After 
hearing  what  took  place  at  that  interview  I  am  still 
bound  to  say  that  it  is  my  strong  impression  the 
appointment  just  now  would  have  a  good  effect  and  it 
is  my  desire  as  well  as  my  deliberate  judgment  that  it 
should  be  made  if  M'  Beecher  can  be  induced  to  ac- 
cept it,  as  I  sincerely  trust  he  may.  I  have  therefore 
written  to  him  an  open  letter  to  this  effect  which  I  en- 
close that  you  may  read  &  forward  it  to  M'  Beecher. 

I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  look  forward  to  the  cer- 
tainty of  your  appointment  as  President  and  with  such 
a  flattering  unanimity.  I  wish  you  moreover  to  Know 
that  I  shall  look  upon  your  acceptance  as  a  personal 
favor  to  me  &  that  I  shall  feel  every  assurance  that 
under  your  guidance  this  Institution  to  which  everything 
I  hold  dear  stands  already  pledged,  will  become  assured 
of  a  most  honored  success. 

Yours  truly  &  respectfully. 


148        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


April  28*^  1864. 
Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hale. 

Dear  Madame!  Your  letter  of  the  25***  Current 
with  enclosures  of  your  son  &  family  photographs 
introduces  me  agreably  to  your  very  heart  and  grati- 
fies me.  I  receive  them  as  evidences  of  your  good  will 
to  me  personally  &  of  your  approval  of  my  intentions 
at  least,  I  shall  be  glad  to  Know  a  gentleman  who  has 
already  ranked  himself  among  the  savants  of  our  land. 
The  Extracts  from  the  Ladys  Book  for  June  which 
you  Send  place  myself  not  less  than  our  College  under 
obligations  to  you  for  your  earnest  efforts  in  our  be- 
half. I  value  greatly  these  evidences  of  your  intelli- 
gent Interest  for  all  that  concerns  the  elevation  of 
woman. 

In  my  last  I  had  intended  to  say  to  you  that  if 
the  plates  I  sent  you  are  worthy  of  that  distinction  & 
you  will  be  at  the  trouble  of  causing  them  to  be  neatly 
framed  &  will  send  the  bills  to  me  I  will  see  that  they 
are  met. 

The  Extracts  from  your  Sons  letter  help  sustain  me 
in  the  views  I  have  already  advanced  &  in  the  action 
about  to  be  taken  in  reference  to  D'  Jewett.  I  greatly 
regret  he  should  have  taken  any  action  in  reference 
to  your  friend  M"  Cuddehy  that  does  not  commend 
itself  to  yourself  or  to  her.  I  was  not  aware  what 
steps  if  any  had  been  taken  by  him  upon  that  Subject. 
Your  letter  to  me  have  left  no  doubt  on  my  mind  that 
this  lady  Is  quite  equal  to  any  position  she  might  be 
willing  to  assume.  But  upon  this  general  subject  I 
have  expressed  deliberatedly  to  the  College  Trustees 
my  personal  wishes  and  the  responsibility  is  thrown 


Matthew  Vassar  149 

upon  them  to  carry  them  forward  now  or  at  such  other 
time  as  they  may  judge  best,  I  am  not  aware  except  in  a 
general  way  to  what  extent  my  desires  are  to  be  met  at 
the  opening  of  the  College.  The  Committee  on  that 
Subject  (Faculty)  I  understand  do  intend  to  make  a 
fair  division  of  appointments  between  the  Sexes.  I 
mean  of  course  of  the  higher  grades,  as  the  lesser  posi- 
tions, I  take  it  for  granted,  will  all  be  for  ladies.  In  re- 
gard to  particular  appointments  my  general  health  & 
my  other  duties  prevent  my  giving  them  the  requisite  at- 
tention to  ensure  the  Success  of  any  applicants  upon  my 
own  recommendation  alone.  The  most  I  have  hoped 
to  do  has  been  to  lay  down  my  own  general  views  & 
wishes,  leaving  the  question  as  to  whether  they  are 
to  be  immediately  carried  out  and  the  manner  in  which 
they  are  to  be  carried  out  to  my  coadjutors  and  to  the 
gentlemen  of  that  Committee. 

The  possible  change  of  Presidency  may  to  some  ex- 
tent affect  the  question  of  Professors  but  to  what  de- 
gree I  of  course  am  quite  unable  to  Know  in  advance, 
outside  influences  will  of  necessity  have  more  or  less 
effect  and  among  these  none  are  more  likely  to  be  lis- 
tened to  than  the  valuable  publications  with  which  you 
are  associated.  I  hail  discussion  as  sure  to  accom- 
plish or  aid  in  accomplishing  the  best  result,  be  it  what 
it  may. 

Truly  yours  &c 


i^o        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


May  2^  1864. 
Henry  Ward  Beecher 
Dear  Sir 
I  feel  gratified  &  complimented  by  your  acceding  to 
my  desire  to  place  your  name  on  our  list  and  to  enlist 
your  judgment  &  Services  in  behalf  of  our  College  as 
Trustee.     I  only  regret  the  delay  as  M'^  Raymonds 
despatch  did  not  reach  me  until  after  the  adjournment 
of  the  Board  or  the  subject  would  have  received  our 
attention  at  once.     Our  next  meeting  is  in  June  next, 
when  it  will  afford  me  a  high  degree  of  pleasure  to 
name  you  in  connection  with  the  present  vacancy. 

Yours  respectfully 


May  19"  1864. 
My  dear  M"^  Hale 

Your  kind  letter  of  the  14*^  Current  is  before  me, 
with  enclosures,  I  thank  you  for  them  I  was  glad 
President  Jewett  advised  you  of  his  resignation,  as  it 
saved  me  from  that  painful  duty,  I  might  have  been 
led  by  the  way  of  justification  to  myself  and  the  Col- 
lege too  deeply  into  the  subject,  I  prefer  to  leave  the 
past  only  to  forgive  altho'  I  cannot  forget  "  an  inter- 
cepted "  letter  under  his  signature  disclosed  his  future 
views  &  purposes  towards  me  and  my  immediate 
Associates,  however  all  has  resulted  in  unanimous  har- 
mony in  the  change  of  Presidency  &  things  &  mat- 
ters are  now  going  on  smoothly  I  could  not  reach  the 
point  I  desired  with  Jewett  at  the  head.  Doct.  Ray- 
mond has  been  appointed  his  successor  &  we  hope  he 
will  accept.  H  W.  Beecher  his  friend  &  adviser 
has  also  Kindly  offered  to  serve  as  Trustee.    I  notice 


Matthew  Vassar  151 

your  remarks  about  the  Engraving  of  the  College  & 
think  with  you  that  considering,  we  shall  have  a  new 
Print  of  the  College  &  grounds  with  Observatory, 
Gate,  Lodge  &c*  it  would  scarcely  be  worth  while  to 
go  to  expense  of  framing  it,  especialy  as  the  title  may 
be  changed.  With  your  kind  permission  I  should  pre- 
fer to  retain  the  Photograph  of  your  Son  and  his  Lady. 

You  will  excuse  haste. 

Yours  truly — 


June  2^  1864 
Prof.  John  H  Raymond  L.L.D. 
Dear  Sir 
In  reply  to  your  propositions  in  regard  to  your  ac- 
ceptance of  the  Presidency  of  Vassar  Female  College, 
I  beg  leave  to  say  that  we  can  accept  your  terms  in 
all  particulars  save  only  that  condition  requiring  me 
individually  to  guarantee  further  pecuniairy  provision 
for  the  College.  I  cannot  persuade  myself  that  it  is 
necessary  or  proper  for  me  to  incur  such  extraordinary 
personal  obligations,  but  we  beg  that  you  will  recon- 
sider the  subject  &  conclude  to  give  your  invaluable 
services  to  our  enterprize  without  insisting  upon  that 
condition.  You  may  be  assured  that  my  pledges  to 
appropriate  nearly  all  of  the  residue  of  my  Estate  to 
the  College  at  my  death  will  be  faithfully  carried  out, 
&  that  my  efforts  &  means  shall  never  be  lacking 
during  my  life  time  to  sustain  &  promote  its  best  in- 
terests in  such  manner  as  will  be  satisfactory  to  the 
Trustees. 

I  remain,  respectfully  yours. 

P  S.  I  will  here  further  remark  also  that  the  Ballance 


152        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

of  my  Estate  after  deducting  other  Legacys  &  Be- 
quests will  not  be  less  than  some  $200,000  inuring  to 
the  College  after  my  decease. 


Rev^  E.  L.  Magoon  Kearsage  House  North  Conway 
N.  H.  8"  June 

My  dear  Sir  Your  letter  of  the  4"  Inst,  states 

with  substantial  correctness  the  verbal  agreement  be- 
tween us  in  regard  to  the  purchase  of  your  gallery  of 
art.  I  am  to  have  from  you  your  entire  collection  as 
it  is — complete — Art  itself  &  all  matters  relating  to 
art — descriptive  historic  &  otherwise  just  as  it  is  in 
your  house  as  I  regard  all  such  matter  printed  & 
otherwise  as  making  the  completeness  of  your  collec- 
tion for  my  purposes  which  are  illustrative  &  edu- 
cational. We  need  no  express  contract — I  rely  upon 
you  as  a  christian  man. 

In  regard  to  payment — I  wish  it  delivered  first.  The 
Building  will  not  be  in  such  a  state  as  to  warrant  the 
placing  of  these  articles  any  longer  before  the  i**  of 
August  than  to  enable  you  to  hang  them  by  that  date. 
The  payment  of  $10,000  should  therefore  be  made 
on  that  date.  The  balance  we  shall  not  disagree  about 
as  you  leave  the  times  for  future  payments  much  to 
my  convenience.  Meanwhile  I  think  you  will  find 
much  labor  in  packing  &  preparing  for  removal  & 
in  arranging  them  in  place  here.  Besides  as  to  the 
Catalogue  it  has  occurred  to  me  that  for  our  purposes 
if  you  could  add  to  your  descriptive  catalogue  certain 
general  outlines  as  to  the  artist  himself  it  would  be 
valuable.  You  will  bear  in  mind  that  the  most  of  our 
pupils  will  see  &  hear  of  Art  &  Artists  for  the  first 


Matthew  Vassar  153 


time  from  this  Collection  &  that  therefore  it  is  not 
to  be  assumed  that  they  are  already  acquainted  with 
facts  quite  patent  to  the  world. 

These  Suggestions  I  have  no  doubt  will  meet  with 
your  entire  concurrence  and  I  trust  I  may  hear  from 
you  that  they  do. 

I  hope  you  may  gain  all  you  desire  during  your  trip 
and  that  you  will  be  sure  to  be  with  us  at  our  next 
meeting  of  Trustees. 

Truly  yours, 
P.  S.  The  Contractor  will  not  give  up  the  building  be- 
fore the  i"  August. 


* 

June  8*''  1864. 
M"  Sarah  J.  Hale 

My  dear  Madame 

Your  letter  of  June  6*^  is  under  my  notice.  In  re- 
gard to  Mrs.  Cuddehy  I  can  do  no  more  than  call  the 
attention  of  the  President  &  Faculty  Committee  to 
her  name  &  credentials  in  such  a  manner  as  will 
doubtless  ensure  her  the  most  careful  consideration  at 
their  hands.  I  place  great  reliance  upon  what  you  say 
in  her  behalf  &  I  need  not  assure  you  she  will  not  be 
overlooked. 

In  regard  to  D'  Jewett  whatever  statements  may 
have  appeared  have  not  originated  with  me.  Your 
Estiniate  of  him  is  not  far  from  the  fact  but  it  would 
be  a  very  long  and  tedious  &  unwelcome  task  for  me 
to  go  over  the  ground  anew.  It  has  been  a  most  un- 
happy affair  and  I  shall  be  glad  to  forget  it  for  I  wish 
him  no  harm.  A  recital  of  facts  could  only  be  to  his 
disadvantage  as  well  as  a  renewal  of  my  own  pain. 


154        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

He  certainly  was  not  the  personal  friend  to  me  that 
his  conduct  in  my  presence  had  led  me  to  believe.  He 
had  labored  deliglntly  to  undermine  my  influence  & 
that  of  my  confidential  Committee  in  the  opinions  of 
the  Trustees.  The  Effect  proved  disastrous  only  to 
himself. 

D'  Raymond  has  not  yet  signified  any  formal  ac- 
ceptance of  the  Presidency  although  I  have  great  hope 
it  will  not  be  long  delayed.  He  has  for  ten  years  been 
at  the  head  of  the  Polytechnican  &  Collegiate  In- 
stitute in  Brooklyn,  an  Institution  which  he  organized 
&  has  conducted  with  the  most  eminent  Success.  He 
was  our  unaminous  choice.  He  is  a  clergyman,  and  a 
most  enlightened  &  liberal  Christian  gentleman.  He 
was  the  Companion  of  Henry  Ward  Beecher  in  his 
European  travels  &  is  his  close  friend  although  they 
belong  to  different  denominations,  M""  Raymond  being 
a  Baptist  though  I  am  informed  not  exactly  concern- 
ing in  some  of  their  exclusive  practices. 

My  own  health  is  not  such  as  to  warrent  me  In  much 
application  to  writing  although  the  demand  upon  my 
time  in  that  respect  seem  to  increase. 

Yours  respectfully 


June  9""  1864. 
Miss  Emma  C.  Church. 

Dear  Madame! 

Your  letter  of  May  21^*  has  reached  me.     I  had 

written  you  May  16*^  which  you  will  doubtless  have 

received  by  this  time.     You  now  propose  that  I  send 

you  the  One  half  the  Cost  of  the  picture  which  Is  $600 

&  also  $100  for  frame  and  $100  for  getting  it  boxed 


Matthew  Vassar  155 

&  on  board  ship  at  Leghorn.  The  last  charge  seems 
very  high.  Now  as  the  picture  is  at  Rome  one  would 
naturally  expect  it  to  be  shipped  at  less  Cost  at  Civita 
Vecchia.  But  I  cannot  at  this  distance  direct  &  must 
leave  the  place  of  shipment,  the  mode  &  the  vessel 
with  you.  I  send  you  with  this  $800  nett  which  covers 
your  entire  proposition  leaving  the  balances  to  be  ar- 
ranged &  our  accounts  to  be  stated  in  your  next  let- 
ter. You  have  an  amount  in  your  hands  to  be  applied 
in  our  final  settlement.  I  will  remit  you  the  final  bal- 
ance upon  receiving  the  picture  here  in  good  order  & 
on  receiving  your  statement  of  amounts  &  compar- 
ing it  with  the  figures  which  our  books  will  show.  You 
will  please  notify  me  by  what  vessel  you  send  the 
picture  &  enclose  the  bill  of  lading  at  the  earliest 
moment. 

Our  building  will  hardly  be  ready  to  receive  the  pic- 
ture with  safety  before  the  i^*  of  October  as  we  have 
had  a  variety  of  hindrances  &  the  expenses  are  now 
enormous.  But  we  are  using  every  exertion  to  forward 
the  enterprise.  I  have  not  been  able  up  to  this  moment 
to  make  any  enquiries  in  regard  to  placing  your  work 
on  exhibition  in  N.  Y.  There  will  be  time  for  that 
before  its  arrival. 

Within  the  week  past  I  have  purchased  the  Gallery 
of  Rev*^  E.  L.  Magoon  of  Albany  to  place  in  the 
building — this  is  a  new  donation  of  $20,000.  I  wish 
to  make  our  Art  Rooms  a  decided  attraction  at  once 
with  the  hope  of  course  that  it  may  continue  to  grow  in 
beauty,  value  &  in  educational  and  refining  power. 

In  regard  to  the  delivery  of  the  picture  on  board 
vessel  &  the  expenses  I  wish  to  refer  you  to  my  letter 
of  Decbr  15*^  last  in  which  I  assumed  the  purchase 


156        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

of  this  picture  &  which  is  the  basis  of  the  agreement 
between  us. 

I  am  glad  to  get  the  favorable  opinions  of  the  per- 
sons you  mention  as  to  this  picture  &  shall  be  much 
gratified  to  meet  Miss  Hosmer  whenever  she  shall  re- 
visit her  native  country. 

I  remain  Yours  truly 

M.V. 


June  I7*^  1864. 
My  dear  M'  Raymond, 

I  can  hardly  express  to  you  my  satisfaction  at  the 
receipt  of  yours  of  the  10  instant,  which  removes  the 
last  doubt  &  anxiety  from  my  mind  as  to  the  assured 
success  of  our  College.  I  am  gratified  that  our  recent 
interview  has  resulted  in  removing  every  doubt  &  ob- 
stacle from  your  path.  You  are  most  welcome  to  the 
position  which  is  to  reflect  honor  upon  us  both.  So 
far  as  in  me  lies,  it  will  be  my  highest  satisfaction  to 
sustain  you  &  the  enterprize  which  you  are  to  guide. 
It  is  as  you  justly  remark  the  favorite  child  of  my  age 
and  to  see  it  in  the  full  career  of  success  &  usefulness 
will  be  the  crowning  pleasure  of  my  life. 

It  will  be  quite  important  that  before  the  meeting 
of  the  Trustees  we  have  some  consultation  as  to  the 
business  to  be  transacted  &  that  you  see  the  members 
of  the  Ex.  Committee  that  all  views  may  be  understood 
&  harmonised. 

Awaiting  such  a  meeting  I  am 

Most  truly  yours, 

M.  Vassar. 


Matthew  Vassar  157 


July  15  1864. 
Rev"*  D'  E.  L.  Magoon. 

My  dear  Sir.  M""  Swan  has  just  returned  from 
your  City  &  inform  me  that  as  you  understand  the 
Contract  for  your  Gallery  of  Art  with  me  to  be  thus, 
that  you  are  to  deliver  it  at  your  house  and  I  am  to 
pay  for  it  as  follows  $10000  Cash  i"  August  &  notes 
for  the  balance  with  interest  from  the  first  of  August 
to  suit  my  convenience,  after  hearing  M'  Swans  state- 
ment of  your  understanding  of  the  transactions  I  re- 
ferred to  my  pocket  memorandum  Book  for  the  first 
time  since  its  entry  &  finds  these  words  viz : 

Friday  June  so  1864. 

"  Rode  to  College  with  Magoon,  Swan,  Matthew  & 
"  Babcock  on  matters  of  Library  Room  &  Art  Gal- 
"  lery — Promised  to  give  Magoon  $20,000  for  all  his 
"  complete  collections  of  Art,  he  is  first  to  send  me  a 
"  Catalogue  "  of  them,  then  if  approved  I  am  to  pay 
"him  $10000  Cash  &  $10000  yearly  payments 
"  of  $1000  to  suit  my  convenience  with  Interest  after 
"  the  said  Collection  is  delivered  &  put  up  under 
*'  Magoons  Superintendance.  This  is  the  Gallery  of 
"  V.  F.  C. — only  cost  of  putting  up  to  be  at  my  ex- 
"  pense — Magoon  takes  the  responsibility  of  save  de- 
"  livery  to  the  College.    Swan  dined  with  us  today. 

Truly  yours. 


1^8        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


August  5  1864. 
Rev^  E.  L.  Magoon  DD. 

Yours  of  the  3^  Inst.  Is  before  me  and  notice  your 
progress  in  packing  the  cabinet  pictures  &c.  We  hope 
to  have  our  Art  Gallery  room  ready  for  their  recep- 
tion by  the  20*''  Current  if  possible.  Alltho'  delays 
has  occurred  by  reason  of  not  being  able  to  find  com- 
petent persons  to  color  the  walls  in  fresco  as  suggested. 
Since  the  relinquishment  of  our  late  Contractor  of  his 
Contract,  much  time  has  been  waisted  in  closing  up  de- 
tails with  him,  and  getting  on  a  fresh  Set  of  hands — 
We  are  now  just  beginning  to  move  forwards  again 
with  the  General  Work.  We  shall  be  all  ready  cer- 
tainly within  the  present  month  to  arrange  the  Cabinet 
In  place,  and  I  shall  have  the  first  payment  on  hand 
on  delivery  in  the  College  custody  in  your  city  as  per 
agreement. 

We  are  now  being  blessed  with  life  living 
"  Weather  "  "  Springside  "  looks  like  herself  again 
since  the  last  rains.  We  have  experienced  the  Severest 
drought  I  have  Known  in  40  years.  All  my  ponds  & 
pools  of  Water  are  dried  up  &c 

Yours  truly 


Sept.  5**^  1864. 
W"  S.  Bird  Esq'  i  St.  Swithins  Villas, 

Magdalen  Road  Norwich.  England. 

'Dear  Sir. 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 

August,  and  perused  its  contents  with  interest.     You 

must  be  fully  aware  that  I  left  England  with  my  par- 


Matthew  Vassar  159 

ents  when  I  was  but  a  child,  and  that  I  have  no  Knowl- 
edge whatsoever  of  the  large  family  connection  that 
were  left  behind,  neither  have  I  through  my  long  life 
had  any  intimation  of  this  far  stretched  family  link, 
and  thus  it  can  not  be  expected  that  I  at  this  late  period 
of  my  life  should  entertain  any  claim  of  relationships 
of  so  distant  a  character 

I  have  in  the  mean  time  not  the  least  doubt  that  the 
Statement  you  give  is  fully  correct,  but  your  applica- 
tion at  this  time  and  under  such  circumstances  as  I  have 
placed  myself,  my  fortune  and  my  name  shows  an 
ignorance  of  facts  that  necessitates  but  few  remarks  to 
enlighten 

Your  allusion  to  my  endowment  to  a  female  College 
indicates  in  the  mean  time  that  you  are  aware  of  that 
I  am  engaged  in  a  benevolent  Enterprize,  for  the  com- 
pletion of  which  I  have  pledged  my  means  and  my 
honor,  and  having  provided  for  all  my  nearest  Kindred 
that  have  followed  me  through  life,  it  has  for  many 
years  been  my  last  cherished  wish  &  hope  to  leave 
a  memory  behind  me  that  could  be  an  honor  to  my 
family  name. 

This  last  act  of  mine  is  the  result  of  Industry,  Per- 
serverance  and  Self-reliance  and  neither  Kindred  nor 
friends  have  reached  me  an  assistant  hand.  The  road 
I  have  passed  is  open  for  all  who  will  mould  their 
character  in  honorable  pursuits  by  the  same  means,  and 
I  speak  this  with  special  reference  to  the  2  boys  you 
allude  to,  for  neither  relations  nor  influence  can  realize 
their  future  welfare  but  their  own  exertions  and  indus- 
try. With  regard  to  the  little  girl  I  feel  deeply  in- 
terested and  sympathetic  with  all  her  friends,  but  the 
statement  I  here  have  given  I  hope  will  be  conclusive 


i6o        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

that  all  applications  even  from  family  connections,  is, 
at  this  advanced  period  of  my  life,  entirely  useless,  as 
I  am  not  in  a  position  to  render  any  service. 

Had  this  application  been  made  at  an  earlier  stage 
of  my  life,  it  was  not  impossible  that  it  would  have 
received  all  the  attention  that  I  hitherto  cheerfully 
rendered  under  similar  circumstances,  but  for  the  pres- 
ent it  has  become  my  duty  to  deprive  myself  of  the 
gratification  it  would  afford  me  to  comply  with  your 
request. 

respectfully  yours 

M  V. 
P  S.  Since  writing  the  above  I  have  taken  another 
day  for  consideration  of  your  suggestions  in  relation 
to  the  younger  female  child  Jessie  and  as  there  is  a 
fund  appropriated  for  beneficairies  under  certain  spe- 
cialities it  may  be  that  she  can  be  entered  into  the  Col- 
lege under  those  provisions.  You  will  therefore  send 
me  her  Photograph  likeness  and  a  written  history  of 
her  family  in  order  that  the  Committee  on  application 
for  pupilship  can  determine  upon  this  special  case. 

Yours  &c 


Novbr  7.  1864 
Miss  Mary  M'^Kay 

Corresponding  Secretary  Callisophia  Society 
Elmira  Female  College. 
Your  Communication  informing  me  of  the  compli- 
ment paid  me  by  this  Society  in  the  unanimous  expres- 
sion of  their  regard  for  the  efforts  I  am  making  in  be- 
half of  women  is  before  me  and  does  not  fail  to  afford 
me  a  very  high  degree  of  satisfaction.     It  cheers  me 


Matthew  Vassar  i6i 

to  be  assured  from  such  intelligent  sources  that  you 
are  ready  to  appreciate  every  endeavour  made  in  the 
direction  of  the  highest  developement  of  your  sex.  My 
work  more  than  my  words  evince  the  positive  assur- 
ances of  my  own  mind  that  the  future  of  the  individual 
woman  and  of  the  race  are  identical.  I  have  desired 
to  do  all  in  my  power  or  within  my  means  for  the  ele- 
vation of  humanity.  It  is  to  be  done  through  woman. 
When  she  is  elevated,  educated,  developed  in  all  her 
capacities  man  cannot  fall  below  her  level.  The  day 
of  unequal  intellectual  privileges  for  the  Sexes  has  gone 
by.  My  own  efforts  will  be  followed  from  time  to 
time  until  within  the  lifetime  of  some  of  you  it  will  be 
forgotten  that  there  ever  was  a  debate  as  to  the  extent 
of  the  powers  of  the  female  world  in  any  direction  or 
as  to  the  expediency  of  her  developing  that  power  to 
the  fullest  extent.  It  will  be  honor  enough  that  I  have 
contributed  to  the  resolution  of  these  questions  in  your 
favor  and  that  my  efforts  were  appreciated  while  I  live 
Please  make  my  acknowledgements  to  the  Society 
you  represent  and  accept  the  regards  of 

Yours  very  truly. 


Novbr.  2i"  1864. 
Rev^  E.  L.  Magoon  DD. 

Dear  Sir 

I    was    at    the    College    last    Saturday    with  I>". 

Raymond    and    M'    Swan,    and   on    going   into    the 

Art  Gallery  discovered  that  two  of  the  Oil  paintings 

(architectural  interiors  by  Genison  No  21  &  81  were 

covered  with  what  we  at  first  supposed  to  be  a  Species 

of  dry  mould,  occasioned  by  dampness.     Further  ex- 


1 62        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

aminatlon  convinced  us  otherwise  as  no  other  pictures 
(either  Oil  or  water  Colors)  were  semilarly  effected — 
nor  could  the  least  Dampness  be  discovered  on  the 
books  or  even  on  loose  paper  lying  about  the  floors. 

The  Varnish  on  these  pictures  seems  to  be  destroyed, 
and  crumbles  under  the  touch  to  a  white  powder. 
That  and  two  others  (N**  22  &  80)  is  cracked  over 
the  entire  surface. 

Can  you  accoujit  for  these  changes  ?  We  are  await- 
ing to  do  anything  to  them  untill  we  hear  from  you 

Yours  truly 


Novbr  23^  1864. 
Rev^  E.  L.  Magoon  DD 

My  dear  Sir  I  am  sorry  to  trouble  further  about 
the  pictures,  and  would  not  have  done  so  had  you  not 
alluded  to  a  supposed  dampness  by  leakage  in  the  roof 
which  trifling  leak  you  refered  to  was  stop"*  the  day 
after  your  M.  Foord  left  the  College  and  immediatedly 
thereafter  had  a  slow  fire  made  &  kept  up  in  the  Steam 
&  Gass  house  which  removed  every  vestige  of  damp- 
ness in  the  Art  Gallery  room. 

There  was  another  little  matter  I  would  not  speak 
of  at  the  time,  but  as  a  Second  occurrence  of  the  like 
has  happened  will  now  mention  it  so  that  you  call  M' 
Foords  attention  to  it — viz :  2  or  3  of  the  water  colors 
pictures  has  fallen  down,  of  course  breaking  the  Glass, 
and  otherwise  injuring  them — These  accidents  seem  to 
be  owing  to  the  frames  not  being  sufficiently  nailed  at 
the  corners,  the  weight  of  others  hanging  upon  them 
caused  them  to  come  apart  &  so  tottled  to  the  floor. 


Matthew  Vassar  163 

Please  to  mention  this  to  M"^  Foord  and  ask  what  can 
be  done  as  others  will  follow  Suit. 

Yours  in  haste 

M.  V. 


Decbr  25*'*  1864. 
M"  Sarah  J.  Hale 

My  dear  Madame 

Your  two  letters  of  the  22^  Inst,  with  the  enclosure 
of  a  pleasant  poem  constituted  an  agreable  feature  of 
this  passing  Christmas.  They  have  both  commanded 
my  attention  &  as  your  letters  must,  have  not  failed 
to  interest  me.  The  unabated  ardor  &  ability  with 
which  you  pursue  these  questions  in  which  the  women 
of  our  day  are  almost  unconsciously  interested  cannot 
fail  of  a  high  reward.  In  that  respect  we  labor  & 
exhaust  ourselves  for  the  same  end.  I  pray  that  you 
at  least  may  live  to  see  some  worthy  result. 

It  is  gratifying  to  be  assured  of  your  confidence  in 
the  gentleman  upon  whom  devolves  the  serious  task  of 
organizing  the  interior  life  of  this  College.  I  am  very 
sure  he  is  bringing  to  the  task  large  abilities  &  ex- 
perience &  a  frank  desire  to  do  only  that  which  shall 
best  promote  its  interest,  in  which  of  course  to  a  large 
degree  are  involved  the  interests  of  young  women  at 
large. 

The  domestic  life  of  the  young  is  not  by  any  means 
to  be  neglected  with  us.  It  is  the  base  from  which 
every  woman  must  reach  to  whatever  may  lie  beyond — 
that  at  any  rate — as  much  more  as  possible. 

I  am  looking  forward  to  the  article  you  promise  in 
your  January  N°.  I  never  fail  to  get  instruction  or  con- 


164  Autobiography  and  Letters 

firmation  or  both  from  that  source  &  these  are  very- 
valuable  to  me. 

Mrs.  Cuddehy  was  indeed  here  recently  &  with 
D'"  Raymond  visited  the  College.  Her  stay  was  so 
short  I  had  but  a  glance  at  her  &  no  opportunity  to 
form  an  acquaintance.  Your  opinion  alone  justifies  me 
in  believing  her  services  to  be  of  great  value  wherever 
she  may  be. 

My  health  is  at  present  but  moderate  &  too  much 
pen  work  goes  very  far  to  prostrate  me.  With  my 
best  wishes  therefore  for  your  health  &  prosperity  I 
must  be  allowed  to  close,    very  truly  yours 


LETTERS  OF  1865  TO  1868. 

In  the  year  of  the  opening  of  the  college,  there  are, 
disappointingly  enough,  no  letters  from  Mr.  Vassar 
about  the  great  event  or  about  the  work  of  the  first 
months.  The  interest  of  the  Founder  in  all  the  prob- 
lems of  the  college  continues  keen  and  he  writes  about 
practical  subjects  like  the  heating  apparatus  and  the 
times  for  vacations,  proposes  a  uniform  costume  for 
the  young  ladies,  advocates  contests  in  public  speaking 
and  shows  interest  in  the  suffrage  movement. 

Little  by  little,  however,  he  relinquishes  all  direct 
control  of  the  college:  writes  that  the  President  and 
the  committee  on  Faculty  are  considering  plan  of  or- 
ganization and  appointments;  even  resigns  the  chair- 
manship of  the  executive  committee.  Relieved  of  the 
onerous  and  detailed  care  of  the  institution,  the  Foun- 
der now  begins  to  enjoy  the  reward  of  his  labors 
in  the  devotion  shown  him  by  the  early  students  of  the 
college. 

Two  of  the  letters  are  addressed  to  students,  several 
to  trustees  (Nathan  Bishop,  S.  M.  Buckingham  and 
Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  the  inventor  of  the  telegraph), 
others  to  persons  whose  names  are  already  familiar, — 
President  Raymond,  Mrs.  Hale. 


165 


1 66        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


Private  Janry  7  1865. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Hale 

Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  3^  Inst,  lays  before  me 
— your  Kind  expressions  of  sympathy  for  my  late  tem- 
porary illness  is  only  another  proof  of  your  Kindness, 
I  find  language  inadequate  to  express  my  feelings — 
next  Summer  I  do  hope  you  will  honor  me  with  a  visit 
to  see  our  "  Noble  Work  "  as  you  are  pleased  to  term 
it,  which  will  afford  me  an  opportunity  to  renew  my 
gratitude  &c*.  It  was  entirely  my  fault  that  I  omitted 
to  comply  with  the  terms  for  the  "  Ladys  Book  "  and 
I  do  not  blame  any  one  for  its  stoppage — I  now  enclose 
$3  for  its  renewal.  I  have  read  the  Article  on  "  Do- 
mestic Science  "  in  this  January  No"  and  think  the  re- 
marks just  &  true  and  fully  accords  with  my  views. 

With  regard  to  the  Lithographing  of  V.  F.  C.  sent 
you  last  fall — ^you  could  have  "Jewett^  and  Ray- 
monds "  names  pasted  over  with  a  Slip  of  paper  sub- 
stituting on  them  "  Raymond  over  Jewett "  and 
Henry  Ward  Beecher "  over  Raymonds.  We  have 
covered  a  number  in  this  way — its  easily  &  readily 
done.  If  you  wait  till  next  early  summer  we  intend 
having  ready  a  new  Lithograph,  embracing  a  more 
extensive  views  of  the  grounds,  astronomical  Observa- 
tory, Gass  &  Steam  works.  Gate  Lodge  &c^  I  also 
purpose  to  have  my  Photograph  taken  by  some  N.  Y. 
City  artist  as  I  cannot  get  a  good  Likeness  here,  I  will 
send  you  one  of  the  first — therefore  do  not  incur  any 
expense  these  hard  times. 

I  am  pleased  to  hear  you  are  taking  so  much  interest 
in  the  charitable  objects  of  the  day  I  hope  and  pray 
you  may  be  rewarded  for  it. 


Of//  r///r( y^//r  e^fi//  /oYf  ^/r^////^ /////  ^///  J^^w//^  ^//  V/^ 
fi'£////i/^  Y/Z/f   W''^  C'fn'^'/ J /tr  //^  //////)■  I /■////  ^/  ////////.f/  J^p^f/// 

C^/////^^/Joy^A  ^/<rv^  91^^ /?//// J^^^^         ^V/r  /^>//^ 

Y/7(ro/o  ^Yj//z/f//'f/iJ  eyjjiezzzY/  ri////^  /^//^  ^/^^/i/^Yl^^''^^t,. 

(///////  /y  ^///  /e//  (V//cr  I ^  Yp  y/y  ///zur  /)/o/l  ///  ^/// 
C'^U/^  '/f  /////  Jz^    //i/rr     //(y'u/  y  c///  Ar/i ///^   rz  ^, /:  er^ ///He      \ 


I 


Copyright  by  Vas.iar  dillege 

A   FACSIMILE    OF   A   LETTER   WRITTEN  TO  DR    E.   L.   MAGOON 


Matthew  Vassar  167 

I  again  thank  you  for  the  deep  solicitude  you  mani- 
fest for  my  health  &  welfare,  and  permit  me  to  re- 
turn you  my  grateful  thanks  with  the  Compliments  of 
the  Season. 

"  A  Happy  New  Year  " 

Yours  very  truly  &c* 

M  V. 
P  S.  3  o'clock  P  M.    The  "  Mission  Link  "  just  come 
to  hand.    The  above  named  $3  has  been  remitted  a  fe\? 
days  ago  by  my  clerk. 


* 

Janry  7  1865 
My  dear  M"  Hale 

For  some  months  last  past  my  thoughts  have  at  in- 
tervals been  occupied  with  the  idea  of  adopting  a  uni- 
formity of  Costume  for  the  pupils  attending  V.  F. 
College — The  object  of  which  is  first,  to  prevent  jeal- 
ousy which  usually  arise  in  the  minds  of  young  persons 
in  the  articles  of  Dress — Secondly  to  secure  more  com- 
fort and  convenience  to  them,  while  in  School  or  at 
their  playfuU  recreations.  Your  fertile  mind  will 
readily  suggest  what  there  should  be — their  make  and 
material — something  that  will  be  desirable,  least  need- 
full  of  repeating  washings  repair  &c%  and  to  consist 
of  something  like  the  "  Bloomer  Dress  "  which  would 
give  freedom  to  their  persons  whether  in  School  or  out 
of  School  for  exercise.  Will  you  please  to  take  this 
matter  into  considerations  and  at  your  early  conven- 
ience inform  me — Of  course  these  garments  are  only 
for  School  house  and  need  not  be  expensive  so  that  they 
will  be  available  to  all  the  pupils — with  those  sugges- 


1 68        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

tions,    I    am    persuaded    you    can    readily    fill    up 
the  rest. 

I  remain  Dear  Madame 

Yours  very  respectfully 


Poughkeepsie  January  14*''  1865 
Dear  Mr.  Raymond. 

I  finished  reading  your  valued  letter  of  the  9*^  cur- 
rent after  my  return  from  College  a  2  o'ck  this  P.  M. 
I  made  Amanda  delay  dinner  till  I  had  read  it — from 
its  date  and  reception  I  think  it  has  been  detained 
somewhere.  The  first  paragraphs  informed  me  that 
you  had  written  me  about  Christmas,  if  so,  it  never 
came  to  hand  and  our  wonder  and  conjectures  are  now 
revealed — lingering  delays  heighten  our  surmises  & 
fears,  a  thousand  conjectures  intrude  in  such  intervals, 
teeming  with  ominus  forebodings — your  letter  before 
me  relieves  from  all  these.  I  heartily  sympathise  with 
you  in  the  amount  of  time  and  valuable  hours  con- 
sumed in  the  little  details  of  life  which  seem  to  amount 
to  almost  nothing  yet  allied  to  the  little  rivilets  of  na- 
ture they  go  to  swell  up  the  great  ocean  of  existence, 
and  were  we  without  them  our  life  w'^  be  a  non-entirety. 
I  am  much  pleased  with  your  remarks  on  the  prelimi- 
nary opening  of  the  College  if  you  ever  receive  my 
holiday  letter  you  will  find  some  thoughts  running 
parallell  with  them.  The  interior  official  organisation 
I  deem  so  important  that  I  shall  not  be  quietly  at  rest 
till  the  great  agony  is  over,  altho'  it  is  greatly  dimin- 
ished by  the  action  of  you  are  pursuing  in  the  premises 
In  securing  the  services  of  such  distinguished  females 
as  you  have  thus  far  visited  or  favorably  appreciated. 


Matthew  Vassar  169 

I  hope  by  all  means  you  will  satisfy  yourself  either  by 
correspondence  or  personal  interview  with  Miss  Lyman 
of  Montreal.  I  am  quite  shure  that  a  Lady  profesship 
in  the  cullinary  department  of  the  College  would  add 
much  to  its  popularity,  and  I  have  lately  met  with  a 
Germain  Lady  quite  competent  to  fill  the  part. 

Refering  to  M'.  Swan^  brief  allusion  to  our  late  trial 
of  the  heating  apparatus  of  the  College  which  came 
off  with  so  great  success,  I  will  send  you  a  paragraph 
from  the  "  Po'  Press  "  by  a  gentleman  who  attended 
the  trial  if  obtained  in  time  for  this  day  letter.  Our 
Committee  on  the  purchase  of  furniture  &  Bedding 
&c  are  preparing  to  leave  home  next  week,  they  will 
visit  N.  York  and  Boston.  &c 

I  thank  you  for  the  sympathy  expressed  in  my  be- 
half for  the  onerious  dutys  unavoidably  imposed  upon 
me  in  carrying  forward  our  great  enterprise,  true  they 
are  at  certain  times  very  ardious,  but  I  am  thank  God 
enjoying  fair  physical  health,  and  hope  it  will  continue 
till  I  have  finish  up  the  long  cherrished  object  of  my 
life  &  see  it  in  successfull  opperation.  I  am  also  well 
pleased  with  your  suggestions  concerning  publication 
&c  not  to  elaborate  beforehand  too  lavishly,  let  our 
works  gradually  do  this,  we  have  an  illustration  of  the 
mischief  of  this  policy  in  some  degree  beginning  to 
work  in  "  Eastman  "  School,"  Many  of  the  pupils  are 
disappointed,  he  has  not  come  up  to  his  flourishing  cir- 
culars, and  some  have  gone  home  after  a  week  or  two 
trials.  These  things  only  invite  criticisms  and  often 
jealousys,  I  am  with  you  for  doing  things  in  a  quiet 
way. 

My  special  buizness  to  the  College  this  morning  was 
with  reference  to  alterations  in  the  Chapel  Gallery, 


lyo        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

lowring  the  balustrade  in  front  The  Foreman  will 
make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  &  we  will  determine  to- 
morrow. I  must  now  close  this  letter  as  I  have  many 
calls  on  business  from  tennants  who  enquiring  about 
houses  &c.  &c.  Amanda  &  Mr.  Schow  joins  in  their 
best  regards  to  you  &  your  good  Lady  &  family. 
Yours,  very  truly  &c 

M.  Vassar 


Janry  24"  1865. 
Prof.  Sam'  F.  B.  Morse  LLD 
My  dear  Sir 

I  received  your  letter  of  yesterday  with  an  enclosed 
letter  from  Rev"^  Lewis  P.  Clover  repeating  his  ap- 
plication for  a  Professorhip  in  the  College,  and  in  re- 
gard thereto  I  may  briefly  remark,  that  said  applica- 
tion together  with  a  multitude  of  others,  was  in  due 
time  handed  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Faculty  &  Studies  President  Raymond,  to  be  referred 
to  again  at  the  proper  season  before  laying  the  same 
before  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  final  decision. 

The  President  in  connection  with  said  Committee 
is  now  engaged  to  investigate  and  complete  a  plan  of 
Organization  intended  to  be  laid  before  the  Trustees 
at  their  first  meeting,  and  in  conformity  with  said  plan 
the  proper  Professor  &  Teachers  will  then  be  taken 
under  consideration. 

The  address  of  D'  Magoon  is  "  Rev"*  E.  L.  Ma- 
goon  DD  Albany  "  and  in  connection  with  the  position 
to  which  D'  Magoon  stands  to  the  Committee  of  Art, 
of  which  you  are  a  member,  I  take  this  opportunity  to 
reveal  unto  you  a  Suggestion  that  has  met  with  an 


Matthew  Vassar  171 

unanimous  approval  of  my  friends  and  the  friends  of 
the  College.  The  Art  Gallery  of  the  College  lately 
purchased  by  me  of  D'  Magoon  is  now  entirely  put 
in  the  College  Building  and  properly  hung,  and  among 
this  valuable  collection  we  have  a  beautiful  Oil  Paint- 
ing of  the  late  Edward  Everett  which  we  have  recently 
taken  down  from  its  first  position  on  the  Wall  and 
transferred  to  the  north  End  of  the  Gallery  on  the 
Side  of  the  Oil  picture  of  myself,  and  if  I  now  could 
be  so  happy  to  prevail  on  you  to  donate  to  the  College 
a  Oil  painting  of  yourself  to  be  placed  on  the  other 
Side  of  my  picture,  you  would  not  only  confer  a  per- 
sonal favor  on  me,  that  I  shall  highly  appreciate,  but 
in  time  to  come  it  would  illustrate  the  american  repre- 
sentatives of  Science  &  Art  that  gave  birth  to  my 
own  inspirations  of  donating  the  whole  results  of  my 
long  lifes  perseverance  to  the  cultivation  of  Art  & 
Science  for  Woman  as  well  as  for  man. 

Hoping  to  be  favored  with  your  reply  I  remain 
Dear  Sir 

Truly  yours 
P  S.   President   Raymond  has  just  returned  from  a 
Tour  West  and  intends  to  answer  Rev**  Clovers  let- 
ter to  you. 


* 

February  6  1865. 
Joel  B.  Germond 

Care  of  W.  White  186  Bowery  near  Spring  N  Y 

Dear  Sir     The  Vassar  Female   College  will  need 

by  and  by  a  good  Time-Piece  with  double  Dial  plates 

which  we  propose  on  the  Arch-way  at  the  entrance  (of 

the  Gate  Lodge)  which  Lodge  is  about  500  feet  West 


172        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

of  the  College.  The  Dials  should  be  of  sufficient  size 
to  be  perfectly  seen  from  the  College,  and  so  arranged 
as  to  be  illuminated  at  night,  something  like  your  City 
Hall.  The  Gate  Lodge  being  furnished  with  Gas  will 
supply  the  light.  At  your  convenience  please  to  in- 
form me  if  you  can  procure  for  us  such  a  clock  and  at 
about  what  Cost.  I  scarcely  need  say  that  it  must  be 
a  perfectly  reliable  timekeeper  as  all  the  movements 
of  the  College  departments  as  to  the  hour  of  day  & 
night  will  depend  upon  its  accuracy. 
Amanda  joins  in  her  best  regards  &c*. 

Yours 


Poughkeepsie  March  6  1865 
M"  Sarah  J.  Hale 
Dear  Madam 

Your  very  kind  favor  of  the  27*''  Ult".  with  enclosure 
of  duplicate  of  a  letter  I  addressed  you  on  the  2^  April 
64  upon  the  subject  of  changing  the  title  of  V.  F. 
College,  came  duly  to  hand,  but  as  President  Raymond 
now  is  absent  from  the  City,  I  must  ask  your  indulgence 
for  a  definite  answer  to  your  questions  untill  his  re- 
turn, even  then  we  should  need  the  consent  of  our 
Board  of  Trustees,  who  do  not  meet  till  the  Second 
Tuesday  in  April,  which  would  make  it  too  late  for 
legislative  action  at  this  session,  as  they  adjourn  on 
the  I'*  April. 

Allow  me  my  dear  Madam  to  return  to  you  my 
hearty  thanks  for  the  deep  interest  you  continue  to 
take  in  this  my  last  Enterprize  (V.  F.  C.)  for  the 
benefit  of  woman  and  the  generous  encomiums  you 
have  so  liberaly  bestowed  upon  me  as  the  Founder  of 


Matthew  Vassar  173 

an  Institution  for  her  moral  and  mental  advancement, 
and  now  as  you  are  the  pioneer  advocate  for  a  change 
in  the  title  of  the  College  it  would  be  exceedingly 
gratifying  to  me  to  have  your  opinion  on  another  ques- 
tion equaly  novel,  viz :  The  devision  of  School  or  Col- 
lege terms.  It  is  proposed  by  some  of  our  Trustees 
to  divide  the  periods  of  tuition  thus : 

months 

To  say — First      Term  from  i'*  April  to  i'*  August     4 

Second       "     from  i^*  Sept  "  20"  Decbr      4 

Summer  Vacation  1°^° 

Winter  "  Jan"^,  Febr^  March  3  "  4 

The  advantages  of  this  devision  of  time  will  allow 
the  young  ladies  whose  parents  or  guardians  reside  in 
the  Country  or  rural  districts  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  long  winter  evenings  assisting  the  pursuits  in  their 
household  duties  at  home,  studying  their  textbooks  &c^ 
and  making  up  new  and  repairing  their  own  wardrobe, 
while  the  pupils  of  parents  residing  in  Cities  or  large 
Towns  and  perhaps  in  better  pecuniairy  circumstances 
will  have  the  opportunity  of  doing  the  same  and  attend 
intellectual  and  polite  entertainments  usually  held  in 
large  towns  &  places  in  the  winter  months — The  Col- 
lege, as  you  are  aware,  is  already  provided  in  its  ar- 
rangements for  Winter  conveniences  by  an  extensive 
heating  apparatus,  so  that  it  is  not  out  of  economical 
considerations  that  this  change  of  School  terms  is  sug- 
gested, but  rather  on  account  of  health  and  comfort  to 
its  inmates,  for  it  is  the  late  fall  &  Winter  Season  in 
our  clime  that  causes  most  of  the  maladys  common  to 
the  northern  latitudes  and  should  we  have  a  large  share 
of  them,  the  public  would  ascribe  it  to  an  unhealthy 


174        ^^^  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

location  of  the  College,  besides  which  extensive  ar- 
rangements are  made  on  the  grounds  for  Gymnastical 
or  athletical  exercises  in  Summer  and  for  the  Study 
of  Floral,  Botany,  Trees  &c^  by  living  existences,  these 
would  be  comparatively  lost  to  pupils  in  the  Winter 
Season.  It  is  not,  however  our  purpose  to  insist  in  the 
entire  dismissal  of  all  the  pupils;  such  as  have  no  par- 
ents or  homes  can  remain,  but  the  season  of  general 
Instruction  ends  at  these  severals  terms  and  those 
that  remain  will  only  be  required  to  pay  simply  board 
&c*.  I  will  not  however  extend  these  remarks,  as  your 
fertile  mind  will  readily  supply  or  detect,  pro's  or 
con's  of  these  suggestions. 

I  will  send  you  in  a  few  days  an  article  written  by 
me  some  time  since  on  the  "  Female  Mind  "  but  not 
thinking  worth  publication  laid  it  aside,  you  can  review 
it  and  make  such  disposal  of  it  as  you  think  proper. 

I  remain  Dear  M"  Hale 

Yours  very  truly 


* 

June  27*^  1865. 
Nathan  Bishop  LLD 
My  dear  Sir 

The  first  stage  in  the  developement  of  that  great  en- 
terprize  to  which  I  have  devoted  a  large  portion  of  my 
fortune  and  the  latest  labors  of  my  life,  is  now  drawing 
to  a  close.  The  erection  of  the  College  edifice  and  its 
equipments  with  the  material  apparatus  of  instruction 
will  soon  be  completed  and  with  the  coming  autumn, 
its  interior  life,  as  a  great  educational  establishment 
will  begin 

Thus  far  the  great  work  of  the  Executive   Com- 


Matthew  Vassar  175 

mittee  has  been  in  a  great  measure,  that  of  a  Building 
Committee  and  I  have  cheerfully  shared  its  perplexi- 
ties &  toils  form  a  conviction  that  my  long  experience 
in  the  management  of  material  affairs  would  enable  me 
to  give  them  important  aid.  Although  a  Kind  Provi- 
dence has  blessed  me  with  more  than  ordinary  health 
and  vigor  for  my  years,  yet  I  begin  to  feel  sensibly 
the  wear  &  tear  of  these  numerous  and  ever-multi- 
plying details,  and  since  the  business  of  the  Executive 
Committee  must  hereafter  pertain  more  than  hereto- 
fore to  the  internal  regulation  of  the  College,  I  have 
felt  a  strong  desire  to  be  relieved  by  some  gentlemen, 
who,  to  the  general  qualities  of  business  capacity,  high 
proficiency  and  practical  Knowledge  in  the  manage- 
ment of  an  Institution  of  learning. 

With  this  view  I  have  not  only  looked  carefully  over 
the  list  of  our  list  of  Trustees,  but  extended  my  view 
through  the  entire  range  of  my  acquaintance;  and, 
among  all  within  my  reach  or  beyond  my  reach,  I  find 
no  one  who  possesses  those  qualifications  so  immen- 
ently  and  so  entirely  as  yourself.  It  Is  my  desire,  there- 
fore, at  the  approaching  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, to  resign  my  present  place  as  chairman  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  and  my  earnest  hope  is  that 
you  will  consent,  to  accept  and  discharge  this  honor- 
able trust. 

I  have  requested  Pres.  Raymond  &  our  mutual 
friend  Mr.  Stephen  Buckingham  to  be  the  bearers  of 
this  communication  and  to  give  any  further  explana- 
tion of  my  views  (of  which  they  are  fully  Informed) 
that  you  may  desire. 

Meanwhile  believe  me  dear  Sir  M.  V 


176        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 


July  6^  1865. 
My  dear  M'"  Hale 

I  have  just  received  yours  of  the  2^  Inst,  with  a 
short  notice  of  Doctor  Raymonds  "  Prospectus  "  as 
published  in  the  August  N°  of  the  Lady^  Book.  It  is 
quite  to  the  purpose  and  needed  no  apology  for  its 
briefness.  I  am  much  pleased  to  have  your  approval 
of  the  Prospectus;  the  subject  of  change  of  Title  to 
the  College  came  up  for  discussion  at  the  June  meet- 
ing and  was  warmly  debated  and  closely  voted.  Yeas 
6  &  Noes  7 — and  7  out  of  the  20  members  pres- 
ent declined  to  vote  not  having  their  minds  made 
up.  We  shall  carry  our  points  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Board.  The  non  voters  out  of  regard  to  the 
feelings  of  the  Founder  would  have  voted  in  the 
affirmative  if  he  specially  desired  them,  but  not 
otherwise,  until  further  persuaded  of  the  propriety 
of  the  change — of  course  I  would  consent  to  no  such 
compromise  and  thus  the  affair  passeth  off  at  the  meet- 
ing. 

I  send  you  by  this  days  mail  2  Copies  of  D'  Ray- 
monds "  Prospectus."  We  have  already  distributed 
some  2500  out  of  3000  printed,  a  new  Edition  will  be 
required  in  a  few  days.  Applications  for  Scholarships 
are  pouring  in  far  and  wide, — hundreds  are  calling  at 
our  Office  for  "  permits  "  to  visit  the  College,  but  the 
Ex  Com.  has  suspended  all  indulgences  of  the  Kind 
for  the  present,  as  the  workmen  are  busy  painting, 
cleaning,  oiling  the  floors  &  getting  In  Furniture. 

In  another  month  or  two  all  will  be  completed  and 
then  I  hope  you  will  do  us  the  honor  of  a  visit  and  write 
me  a  few  days  before,  not  that  I  shall  or  may  be  from 


Matthew  Vassar  I'jy 

home,  but  that  other  engagements  may  not  interfere. 
With  my  usual  salutations  of  esteem.    I  remain. 


Poughkeepsie 
Saturday  Morning 

March  lo,  1866 
My  dear  Miss  Dickinson 

I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  kind  note  of  yesterday 
morning  handed  me  by  your  Treasurer  M.  V.  Jun'  to 
attend  a  social  gathering  at  the  College  Chapel  last 
evening  to  listen  to  a  Shakesperian  Reading  by  your 
President.  It  is  a  quaint  saying  that  you  cannot  loose 
what  you  do  not  posses,  but  I  do  not  believe  from 
what  I  learn  this  Morning  but  I  have  lost  that  which 
I  cannot  regain  very  soon  again  by  my  absence. 

Dont  send  your  messages  by  old  "  Widdowers " 
there^  no  dependence  on  them  while  being  surround — 
by  so  many  College  attraction.  Miss  Germond  joins 
in  these  sentiments  &  sincere  regards  &c 

Yours  truly  &c 

M.  Vassar 


VASSAR  FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

Sunday  Evening  1866 
To  Miss  Mary  L.  Gilbert.  Cor.  Sec.  of  the  Students  of 
V.  F.  C. 
My  dear  Madam 
Words  are  impotent  to  express  my  feelings  at  the 
doings  at  your  College  to  honor  my  Birth-day  yester- 
day— to  say  that  I  was  highly  pleased  would  be  a  mea- 


1 78        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

gre  reply — In  truth  I  now  learn  that  the  heart  finds 
things  which  the  power  of  language  cannot  express, 
and  those  things  occured  yesterday — Please  to  accept 
my  thanks  for  your  kindness — The  scene  of  which  will 
never,  no  never,  be  obliterated  from  my  Memory. 
I  remain  Dear  Miss  G. 

Yours  truly  &c.  &c. 

Matthew  Vassar. 


Thanksgiving  Morning 

November  29*''  1866. 
My  dear  Doct.  Raymond  L.L.D. 

I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  find  my  health  such  this 
morning  from  a  bad  cold  and  feever  that  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  join  the  friends  at  the  College  to-day,  which 
were  it  otherwise  I  would  be  most  happy  to  do,  espe- 
cially as  it  being  a  day  appointed  and  set  apart  by  our 
National  &  State  Magistrate^  as  a  Day  of  "  Thanks- 
giving "  for  the  many  Mercies  Confered  upon  this  peo- 
ple, and  We  should  heartly  join  our  thanks  as  a  new 
Institution  of  Learning  for  our  social,  official  and  spirit- 
ual prosperity  &c Please  to  give  my  best  regards 

to  our  dear  young  Ladies  and  Teachers,  and  say  to 
them,  that,  I  deeply  regret  that  my  health  will  not 
permit  my  joining  them  to-day,  that  I  wanted  to  say  to 
them,  that,  the  "  Vassar  College  "  is  now  thiers,  thiers 
to  elevate,  thiers  to  beautify,  thiers  to  honor,  and  thiers 
to  adorn,  by  Its  fruits,  and  I  trust  God  in  his  Providence 
will  bless,  prosper  and  sustain  it  to  the  glory  of  his 
name,  and  to  the  praise  and  admiration  of  the  world, 
and  I  hope  therefore  that  all  voices-  and  hearts  will 


Matthew  Vassar  179 

arise  and  join  in  one  glorious  anthem  and  Sing  the 
DOXOLOGY,  today. 

Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow, 
Praise  him  all  creatures  here  below; 
Praise  him  above,  ye  heavenly  host; 
Praise  Father,  son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

With  my  prayers  for  all  your  health*  and  happiness 
I  remain  Dear  Sir 

Yours  very  truly  &c 

M.  Vassar. 
N.B.  You  are  at  liberty  to  read  this  note  to  the  Young 
Ladies  &c  if  you  choose. 

M.  V. 


Poughkeepsie 

February  5*''  '67 
My  dear  Doct.  Raymond 

My  health  is  such  I  can  not  come  out  to  the  College 
to  see  you,  was  it  otherwise  I  could  have  communicated 
in  half  the  time  it  has  taken  me  to  write  this  note. 

I  am  engaged  in  making  some  additional  Codicils  to 
my  Last  Will  and  Testiment,  one  of  which  is  to  set 
apart  a  specific  sum  the  interest  of  which  I  purpose  to 
applied  to  the  encouragement  of  "  Gifts  or  Talents  " 
of  the  young  Ladys  pupils  in  public  speaking — some- 
thing in  this  way During  the   Collegiate  year 

there  shall  be  four  subjects  announced  for  debate  by  the 
President,  one  every  quarter  of  the  School  Session,  to  a 
class,  say  10  pupils,  whose  names  are  previously  en- 
tered &  drawn  by  Lot  from  the  whole  number  of  pupils 
entering  the  Class,  to  be  designated  the  "  Vassar  Col- 
ledge  "  Offhand  Speaking  Society." 


i8o        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

The  President  shall  state  the  subject  to  be  spoken 
an  hour  before  the  opening  of  the  Meeting  and  not  he- 
fore  and  shall  previously  appoint  judges,  say  3  to  de- 
termine the  respective  merrits  of  each  address  accord- 
ing to  the  rules  of  Logic,  giving  to  each  pupil  the  re- 
ward of  Merrit  in  regular  order — beginning  at  N°.  i 
to  10. 

I  have  not  mental  stamina  sufficient  to  enlarge  this 
morning    ?What  think  you  of  the  plan. 

Bye  the  Bye  have  you  seen  the  "  Bill "  changing  the 
name  of  our  College.  I  have  wrote  Mrs.  Hale  and  sent 
her  a  duplicate  of  the  Act. 

Yours  very  Respectfully  &c.  &c. 

M.  Vassar. 
P.  S.  M"  Germand  is  better  so  says  D'  Hervey  who 
has  left  in  this  moment. 

M.  V. 


August  2*^  1867 
Doct.  Nathan  Bishop  L.L.D 
My  dear  Sir 
Some  time  ago  I  called  your  attention  as  Chairman 
of  the  Ex.  Board  of  Trustees  of  "  Vassar  College  " 
to  a  suggestion  made  by  me  of  the  propriety  of  the 
latter  furnishing  at  their  own  expense  thier  respective 
half  lenght  potraits  for  to  be  hung  up  in  the  Art-Gal- 
lery, and  more  especialy  do  I  desire  this  in  as  much 
as  my  Likeness  in  Oil  &  soon  will  be  added  the  Marble 
Bust,  and  then  perhaps  a  Bronse  Statute, — a  lavish  ex- 
penditure I  think  of  Vanity,  &  that  without  a  Single 
member  of  eithur  Board  to  indorse  or  sustain  me  in  itl 
Will  you  please  to  lay  this  matter  before  your  Ex. 


Matthew  Vassar  l8l 

Committee  at  your  next  Meeting.  I  Intended  to  have 
Spoken  to  you  yesterday  on  this  subject,  but  other  mat- 
ters engrossed  my  thoughts  I  forgot  it  &c — besides  I 
was  rather  out  of  tune  in  point  of  health  &c 

Yours  truly,  &c 

M.  Vassar — 


Setember  9*  1867 
My  dear  Mrs  Hale 

I  am  duly  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  2^  cur- 
rent and  were  right  glad  once  more  to  hear  from  my 
good  and  tried  friend,  and  especialy  under  the  circum- 
stances of  improved  health  from  her  late  tour  for  its 
restoration  &c.  Refering  to  the  Advertisement  notice 
respecting  the  College  requested  by  our  Register  M' 
Schow,  declining  to  make  any  charges  for  its  publica- 
tion in  the  Lady'-Book,  only  imposes  upon  me  a  fresh 
debt  of  gratitude,  but  which  I  hope  to  have  an  oppor- 
tunity at  no  distant  day  to  remunerate  at  least  in  part. 

I  read  your  article  in  the  Sep*  No  "  Catalouge  of 
"Vassar  College"  for  1866-7,  ^"d  shall  be  anxiously 
waiting  Y  October  November  issue.  I  send  you 
by  Am  Express  Co  another  Copy  of  Vassar  College  & 
its  Founder  to  present  to  your  friends  in  England — a 
singular  coincidence  just  occured  on  the  very  morning 
of  the  day  of  receipt  of  your  last  letter  the  central 
marble  slab  on  the  front  of  the  Edifice  containing  the 
word  "  Female  "  was  removed — relieving  the  Institu- 
tion from  the  odium  which  has  so  long  disgraced  it  &c 
It  now  reads 

— Vassar  College — 
Founded  A.  D.  1861. 


1 82        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

and  let  me  assure  you  that  to  you  my  dear  friend  and 
to  you  only  am  I  Indebted  for  this  change  after  so  long 
a  contest  by  a  phalanx  of  opposers. 


Poughkeepsie  December.  12*''  1867. 
My  dear  Doct.  E.  L.  M. 

Yours  of  last  Saturday^  date  came  duly  to  hand,  giv- 
ing me  an  account  of  your  surjournings  to  the  place  of 
your  birth, — ^you  were  more  fortunate  than  a  certain 
Lady  was  when  asked  by  a  gentleman  the  place  of  her 
nativity,  who  reply !  O  she  had  none  as  she  was  the  wife 
of  a  Methodist  Minister! 

But  laying  puns  asside,  we  very  much  regretted  you 
and  you  good  wife'  absence  from  our  sociable  on  the 
evening  of  the  6*^  current,  for  we  had  realy  a  happy 
joyfuU  time  of  it, — numbering  some  hundred  &  odd 
guests,  composed  of  the  Faculty,  ProP,  and  Teachers 
of  the  College,  with  our  City  (College)  Trustees,  and 
other  notables,  made  up  a  party  of  pleasentry  &  social 
chat, — seldom  equaled  for  literary  distinction  especialy 
at  the  tables  of  refreshments,  It  was  realy  a  mental  & 
physical  feast,  the  latter  was  got  up  by  our  best  caterers 
for  the  inner-man  in  our  City, — so  you  see  your  "  hopes 
of  our  having  a  good  time  "  of  it  has  been  reilised. 
Yours  in  the  Traces  &c  &c, 

M.  Vassar 


Matthew  Vassar  183 

Poughkeepsie 
December  i^'""  1867. 
To  the  honorble  Committe  appointed  to  Inspect  the 
minature  Statute  of  the  Founder  of  Vassar  Col- 
lege &c. 
Gentlemen. 
As  the  incipient  steps  are  now  taken  for  the  erection 
of  the  monumental  statute  of  your  Founder  &c,  by 
Mrs.  Laura  S.  Hofmann  Artist,  either  in  Marble  or 
Bronse,  I  would  suggest  that  in  case  your  committee 
should  decide  to  cause  a  devise  in  either  that,  if  possi- 
ble, that  the  work  be  executed  by  an  American  Expert, 
and  that  the  same  be  proceeded  with  immediately, 
and  that  it  be  ereted  in  the  center  of  the  College  Ave- 
nue between  the  Gate-Lodge  and  College  Edifice  as  in 
your  judgement  may  deem  best,  and  in  case  the  work 
should  be  begun  this  ensuing  spring,  I  would  loan  the 
College  on  the  first  of  May  on  thier  B  &  Mortgage 
@  7  pc  payable  half  yearly  to  pay  for  the  monument 
or  a  part  thereof  the  sum  of  Twenty  five  Thousand 
dollars.  Yours  very  Respectfully 

M.  Vassar. 


December  19^''  1867. 
Samuel  M.  Buckingham  Esq" 
My  dear  Sir 
As  you  are  one  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
Ex.  Bord  of  Vassar  College  to  inspect  a  Statuette  of 
the  Founder  of  the  Institution  moulded  by  Mrs  Laura 
S.  Hofmann  as  a  study  for  a  larger  work  to  be  made 
of  Marble  or  Bronse,  I  would  beg  to  submit  to  you  a 
few  thoughts  with  referance  to  that  important  work, 
but  before  proceeding  allow  me  to  express,  that,  it  was 


184        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

never  my  wish  or  desire  to  have  the  latter  work  exe- 
cuted during  my  life  time,  whatever  the  Hon.  Board 
of  Trustees  might  deem  proper  to  do  thereafter,  but 
as  the  artist  has  undertaken  on  her  own  responsibility  to 
execute  a  minature  Modell  in  clay  and  now  proposes 
to  transfir  the  same  in  Plaster  for  a  full  sise  statute, 
it  becomes  extremely  important  that  it  should  be  artis- 
tically done,  so  as  to  bear  the  vigilent  scrutiny  of  the 
best  connoisseurs  in  the  Art  &c,  I  therefore  feel  ex- 
tremely anxious,  that,  every  measure  be  taken  by  the 
Committee  to  secure  that  end,  as  sepulchral,  (or  for 
the  living)  monuments,  are  either  erected  as  expres- 
sions of  love  or  veneration  by  those  who  delight  to 
linger  over  departed  worth,  or  as  testimonials  of  grati- 
tude to  the  living  as  values  of  thier  usefullness  in  fur- 
nishing excitement  to  virtue  and  well  doing,  in  either 
view  the  statue  proposed  to  be  erected  in  honor  of  the 
Founder  of  Vassar  College  will  fully  express  the  utillity 
designed  by  your  Committe,  I  have  no  doubt,  and 
should  the  Com-  proceed  this  autum  or  ensuing  Spring 
with  the  work,  and  require  the  neccesary  Means  so  to 
do,  I  will  agree  to  loan  the  College  on  B  &  Mortgage, 
a  sum  sufficent  to  erect  the  same,  on  the  i^*  May  next, 
Interest  payable  Semi-Annually. 

Yours  very  Respectfully 

M.  Vassar. 


Tuesday  Morning 

April  28'''  1868 
My  dear  Miss  Powell 

I  received  last  evening  by  the  hands  of  a  coP  Boy 
your  note  of  yesterday*  date,  and  were  glad  to  hear  that 
you  and  all  the  other  Young  ladies  of  the  College  were 


Matthew  Vassar  185 

pleased  with  Miss  Dickinson  Lecture  last  evening  *  and 
before  I  had  passed  the  Gate-Lodge  after  leaving  the 
Observatory  I  was  sorry  we  had  not  remained  to  hear 
the  Lecture, — notwithstanding  my  deafness,  as  her  ad- 
dres  &'  manners  I  could  have  discerned  and  after  all 
that  ffoes  far  with  our  sex. 

The  subject  of  "  Womans  Suffrage  "  or  "  Idiot*  and 
Women  ",  was  correctly  quoted  from  the  Law*  grant- 
ing the  right  of  them  to  the  ballot  Box,  and  when  I 
first  read  the  Law  some  years  ago  I  was  equaly  sup- 
prised  to  find  our  Fair  sex  placed  in  so  shamefuU  cate- 
gory as  "  criminals,  paupers,  Idiots  &c,"  which  if  the 
Law  was  right  by  this  Classification  I  think  it  is  full 
time  that  my  300  Daughters  at  "  Vassar  "  knew  it,  and 
applied  the  remidy. 

The  truth  is  it  is  all  nonsense  and  irreconcilible  with 
Divine  truth  in  regard  to  the  Mental  Capacity  of 
Woman,  nothing  but  long  prejudice  with  the  dominer- 
ing  spirit  of  Man  has  kept  Woman  from  occupying  a 
higher  elevation  in  literature  &  art,  but  mans  tyrany  & 
jelousy,  and  wilfuU  usurpation  of  her  normal  rights  &c. 

Excuse  these  hasly  writtin  remarks  with  many  in- 
terruptions while  waiting  for  my  Carriage  to  go  to  the 
College  Yours  very  truly  &c 

M.  Vassar. 


Poughkeepsie  June  lo***  1868. 
John  H.  Raymond  L.L.D. 
My  dear  Doctor 
Yours  of  yesterday  Enclosing  a  letter  from  our  old 
friend  &  Trustee  Col.  Morgan  L.  Smith  is  received, 
and  read,  and  as  you  remark  "  contains  some  sentences 

*  Saturday  evening. 


1 86        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

doubtless  intended  for  my  Ear^^ — but  which  I  do  not 
fully  comprehend,  but  as  far  as  I  do  are  not  view*^  by 
me  in  that  light, — my  maxim  or  motto  is  now  the  same 
as  at  the  begining  of  our  enterprise — Do  all  things, 
Interlecturall  and  Material  the  best,  and  make  your 
prices  accordingly. — The  idea  that  "  during  the  infancy 
of  the  College  to  court  public  patronage  by  catering  to 
cheap  or  low  prices  of  instruction  is  to  my  mind  redicu- 
lous. — I  go  for  the  best  means  cost  what  they  may  & 
corresponding  prices  for  tuition  in  return. — Suppose  we 
raised  the  terms  (altho'  I  would  not  as  a  whole)  only 
on  the  ornamental  branches,  do  you  suppose  the  Col- 
lege would  be  relieved  of  Pupils. — Nay,  not  a  wit,  I  am 
therefore  for  giving  the  Daughters  of  the  public  the 
very  best  Means  of  Education,  and  make  them  pay 
for  it! 

I  will  stake  my  reputation  on  the  result, — The  best 
article  in  Market  always  meets  with  the  most  readiest 
and  quickest  Sale,  and  as  a  general  rule  pays  the  largest 
profit ! 

I  dont  believe  in  erecting  a  "  Monument "  to  my 
everlasting  Shame  by  a  failure  in  Judgement  in  its  con- 
ductment  &c — 

I  think  well  of  "  Advertising  "  and  I  have  advocated 
already  &  put  fresh  means  in  progress  through  the 
journals  of  the  day  calculated  to  secure  that  object,  viz, 
the  notoriety  of  our  Institution,  but  nevertheless  there 
is  room  in  the  secular  papers  in  the  Country  as  the  Co^ 
says,  for  more  extensive  circulation, — as  my  Carrage 
is  at  the  Door  waiting  to  take  me  to  "  Springside  " 
must  close  these  remarks  &c 

Yours  very  truly  &c 

M..  Vassar 


Copyright  by  Va 


MATTHEW  VASSAR  AND  HIS  DOG 
From  an  old  Ambrotype 


Matthew  Vassar  187 


Poughkeepsle  June  ii***  1868 
Professor  Ch^  S.  Farrar 
Dear  Sir 
Enclosed  please  to  find  accompaning  this  note  42 
Continental    currency    Bills    of    different    valuations 
amounting  to  some  £206.500  with  $3ifi)VNew  York  & 
Spanish  curency,  which  I  were  presented  with  last  Eve- 
ning by  Mrs.  Sarah  Robinson  &  Miss  Martha  Forbes 
for  the  use  of  the  Vassar  College.    Time  is  gradualy 
wearing  away  these  land  Marks  of  by-gone  days  & 
therefore  the  importance  of  preserving  the  scanty  few 
in  some  of  our  public  Archives, — You  will  please  to 
give  them  a  place  in  Vassar. 

Your^  Respectfully  &c 

M.  Vassar. 


LETTERS  TO  SARAH  L.  STILLSON 
MAY  8',  66 

TO 
MAY  4,  '67. 

A  Group  of  Letters  written  to  Miss  Sarah  L.  Still- 
son,  between  May  8,  ^66  and  May  4,  '67. 

The  happiness  which  the  Founder  received  from  the 
honor  and  devotion  shown  him  by  the  students  of  Vas- 
sar  College  is  vividly  expressed  in  the  letters  written 
to  Sarah  L.  Stillson  while  she  was  a  student  in  college 
and  afterwards.  As  the  occasion  of  the  beginning  of 
this  correspondence  was  the  "  Hill-Top  Idyl "  written 
by  Miss  Stillson  for  the  first  Founder's  Day,  the  little 
pamphlet  containing  the  poem  is  reproduced  before  the 
letters. 

HILL-TOP  IDYL 
Founder's  Day 

To  honor  the  Founder  of  "  Vassar  College " 
"  the  Faculty  voted  that  the  anniversary  of  his  birth- 
day be  entered  on  the  calendar  as  a  holiday  to  be 
celebrated  with  appropriate  commemorative  exer- 
cises." 

The  design  was  that  this  should  be  made  the 
Students'  Day,  and  that  the  young  ladies  should  of- 
fer such  a  tribute  to  Mr.  Vassar  as  should  express 
their  sense  of  the  value  of  his  gift  and  their  own 
respect  and  affection  for  him  as  the  Founder  of  the 
College. 

188 


Autobiography  and  Letters  189 

Accordingly  the  arrangements  and  preparations 
for  the  day  were  made  by  the  young  ladies,  and  the 
"  Founder's  Day ",  was  most  happily  inaugurated. 
A  procession  of  some  three  to  four  hundred  students 
met  Mr.  Vassar,  accompanied  by  the  President,  (Dr. 
Raymond,)  at  the  entrance  of  the  Gate  Lodge — a 
song  of  welcome  greeted  him  at  the  College — ap- 
propriate literary  exercises  were  held  in  the  Chapel, 
and  a  collation  in  the  Dining-Hall;  and  a  reception  in 
the  College  Parlors,  in  the  presence  of  the  pupils  and 
numerous  invited  guests  to  participate  in  the  festiv- 
ities, completed  the  exercises  of  the  occasion. 

The  literary  proceedings  consisted  of  a  salutatory 
by  Miss  Bush,  of  Turin,  N.  Y.,  an  essay  by  Miss 
Palmer,  of  Detroit,  Michigan — subject,  "  The 
World's  Advance," — five  dramatic  recitations,  repre- 
senting woman  in  different  ages  of  the  world;  a  poem 
by  Miss  Stillson,  of  Nunda,  N.  Y., — subject,  "  Hill- 
Top  Idyl," — and  a  Floral  Drama  by  Miss  Braddock, 
one  of  the  teachers.  Thus  ended  the  exercises  on  this 
interesting  evening — inaugurated  by  the  young  ladies 
in  commemoration  of  the  Founder's  Birth;  and  so 
quiet  and  still  were  the  preparations  made  that  the 
Founder  had  no  knowledge  whatever  of  it  until  the  day 
arrived — Monday,  30th  April,  1866. 

The  following  is  the  poem  of  the  evening: 

HILL-TOP  IDYL 


Nature  loves  holiday:  Tired  winds  delay  with  dally- 
ing streams. 

And  sometimes  January's  heart  is  haunted  by  Spring 
dreams. 


190        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Youth's  feet  cannot  plod  heavy  on  in  spondees  all  its 

days: 
'Tis  health  to  step  to  dactyl  rhythm  while  Joy  her 

schottisch  plays, 
Merrily  tripping,  while  music  is  rippling,   foot-beat 

and  heart-beat  in  rhyme. 
Soul-thrilling  chorus  so  sweet  pealing  o'er  us,   that 

voices  ring,  hearts  sing  in  chime. 
He  who'd  advise  all  serious  life  as  well  might  seek  to 

train 
Cupid  to  teach  us  logarithms, — to  bloom  with  flowers 

the  main. 
So  hail  we  all  this  festal  day,  day  in  commemoration 
Of  him  who  reared  these  walls  to  bless  the  future  of 

our  nation. 


Dawn  kissed  the  Catskills,  whose  calm  face  smiled 

blushing  back  on  Dawn, 
So,  beauty-bathed,  the  jealous  stars  had  one  by  one 

withdrawn : 
A  band  of  girls  on  "  Sunset  Hill "  watched  for  the 

coming  day. 
They  tho't  they  heard  a  far  strange  sound,  and  then 

a  still  voice  say: — 

"  I'm  Guardian  Genius  of  the  place.     Look !  where 

yon  College  stands. 
Five  years   ago  no   structure  vast  showed  work  of 

builders'  hands; 
The  herdsman's  whistle  might  be  heard,  or  cattle's 

distant  low: 
A  great  mind's  Thought  begets  a  Deed, — what  greets 

the  vision  now? 


Matthew  Vassar  191 

One  philanthropic  soul  was  stirred  to  elevate  your 
race, 

To  open  Wisdom's  gates  to  give  Columbia's  daughters 
place. 

Men  praised  the  work :  its  Founder  said,  '  Give  me 
not  now  the  praise — 

'Tis  but  a  soulless  form  as  yet — 'twill  speak  in  future 
days.' 

They  gathered  in  from  distant  homes,  from  cities  scat- 
tered wide, 

Where  rice  fields  wave,  where  north  winds  sweep, 
where  west  streams  roll  their  tide, 

Until  the  structure  woke  to  life.  Lights  from  the  win- 
dows gleamed; 

With  voices  rang  the  corridors  that  with  earnest  young 
life  teemed; 

And  still,  '  Not  yet,'  the  Founder  said, — '  when 
women  you  shall  see 

Go  forth  to  bless  when  I  am  gone,  then  shall  my  tri- 
umph be.' 

But  tell  me  what  you  think  of  all,  and  who  your  lead- 
ers are." 

So  we  described  and  spoke  of  each,  singling  out  star 
by  star. 

Whose  blended  lights  will  guide  us  oft  when  hence  we 
wander  far — ^ 

Of  him  ^  whose  brain  and  heart  so  blend,  as  twilight 
blends  with  day. 

We  see  not  where  the  one  begins,  the  other  ceases 
sway, — 

*  The  Faculty  and  Teachers. 

^  Dr.  Raymond.  .  . 


192        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Of  him  who  teaches  numbers  ^  and  their  subtle  secrets 
keeps, — 

Of  him,  Nature's  true  votary,*  who  reads  Earth's 
mystic  deeps, — 

Of  her  whose  wisdom  guiding  well  ^  doth  wield  an  in- 
fluence far, — 

Of  her  who  knows  the  distant  heavens,^  follows  the 
trackless  star, — 

Of  him  who  speaks  in  many  tongues  ^  with  nations  o'er 
the  sea. 

And  brings  the  classic  ages  back  from  their  deep 
mystery, — 

Of  him  who  treats  of  eloquence,^  and  all  its  sweet  con- 
trol,— 

Her  who  explains  the  human  form,®  strange  casket  of 
the  soul, — 

Of  those  who  train  by  art  and  song  ^°  to  love  the  Beau- 
tiful,— 

Of  teachers  rare,  whose  deep  true  worth  we  ne'er  can 
prize  too  well, — 

Our  College  Home !  It  is  a  spot  where  Truth  and 
Wisdom  dwell! 

In  honor  of  the  Founder,  we  shall  have  a  gala  day, 

When  trees  almost  in  leaf  and  flow'r,  and  when  'tis 
almost  May, 

Our  thoughts,  alas !  being  scarce  half  bloom'd,  inspire 
us  what  to  say. 

The  Voice  replied,  "  'Tis  meet,  glad  maids,  in  honor 
of  his  name, 

•  Prof.  Farrar.  ^  Prof.  Knapp. 

•  Prof.  Tenney.  *  Prof.  Buckham. 
'  Miss  Lyman.  '  Miss  Avery. 

•  Miss  Mitchell.  *°  Profs.  Wiebe  and  Van  Ingen. 


Matthew  Vassar  193 

That  you  should  have  a  festal  day  for  debt  you  owe 
to  him, 

For  you  are  by  life's  fount,  and  hear  its  cataracts  far 
away 

That  blending  with  that  ripple's  fall  are  a  lulling  mel- 
ody; 

But  he  has  passed  life's  rapids,  lo !  their  foam  is  on  his 
hair, 

And  the  blinding  spray  has  dimmed  his  eye  from  the 
sea  that  draweth  near. 

What  you  should  write,  I  scarce  can  tell:  your  daily 
influence  preaches 

Far  louder  sermons  day  by  day  than  all  your  silvery 
speeches. 

Talk  not  on  '  Woman's  Rights : '  Be  right,  and  leave 
the  praise  to  men. 

But  hark  I  the  corridor  breakfast  bells  are  ringing  out 
again. 

On  those  disheveled  locks  all  eyes'  reproving  glance 
will  fall. 

If  tardy,  or  with  lingering  steps  you  thread  that  din- 
ing-hall : 

'Twere  poetry  on  Sunset  Hill  to  watch  day's  rosy  flash. 

But  poetry  and  prose  in  life  do  sometimes  sadly  clash. 

So  hence,  as  you  must  practice  o'er  today  the  '  Found- 
er's Greeting: '  " 

"  Or,  more  important,"  added  one,  "  attend  committee 
meeting. 

Nay  Guardian  Spirit,  'tis  but  dawn,  'twas  only  rising 
bell, 

Phoebus  has  not  joined  his  steeds  above  the  gold- 
crowned  hill. 

So  of  this  College  prophesy  the  future  destiny." 


194        ^^^  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

"Students,  the  answer  yours,"  It  said;  "'tis  left  for 

you  to  say: 
'TIs  a  grand  interrogation-point  before  the  world  to- 
day; 
And  so,  '  to  be  or  not  to  be,  that  is  the  question,'  then, 
Whether  you'll  rise  in  mental  height  to  regions  most 

divine, 
Or,  leaving  Minerva's  temple  gates,  offer  on  Fashion's 

shrine. 
If  the  last,  your  verdict  then  will  be — ^your  verdict 

and  the  world's. 
That   Curtiss'    '  goddesses,'   alas !    are   only   common 

girls. 
You'll  wander  forth  from  the  Founder's  halls,  but 

each  one  of  your  band, 
Tho'  little,  keeps  (O  sacred  trust  I)  his  honor  in  her 

hand. 
Live  not  for  self;  live  for  your  age,  the  future,  and  to 

God; 
Thus  each  a  gem  in  his  shining  crown,  when  he  sleeps 

beneath  the  sod. 
Despise  no  humble  mission,  overlooking  lowly  worth, 
The  bow  that  crowns  the  heaven  begins  and  ends  its 

arch  on  earth. 
Toil  on!  up  Wisdom's  starry  heights,  faint  not  In  as- 
piration ; 
Your  best  achievement  will  be  but  his  life — dream's 

incarnation, 
And  Vassar  College  stand  thro'  time  an  honor  to  the 

Nation." 


Matthew  Vassar  195 

Poughkeepsie 
Tuesday  May  8'^  1866 
My  dear  Miss  Stilson 

I  was  favor"^  with  a  Copy  of  your  pretty  little  poem 
deliver^  on  the  occasion  of  the  "  Founder^  day  "  or 
Festival  in  Commemoration  of  his  Birth-day  April 
30*''  1866,  and  have  perused  it  over  and  over,  and  can- 
not express  my  feelings  at  the  present  moment  for  this 

little  gem  of  your  poetic  genious 

Please  to  accept  my  best  thanks  till  oppertunity  of- 
fer* to  do  better. 

I  am  Dear  Miss  S. 

Yours  truly  &c 

M.  Vassar 


"  Springside  " 

June  18**^  1866. 
My  dear  Miss  Stillson 

The  printer  (M.  Osborn)  of  your  beautiful  little 
gem  composition  "  Hilltop  Idyl "  was  dilivered  me 
(200)  copies  on  Saturday  evening,  but  too  late  to  send 
them  to  you — I  forward  the  same  this  morning 
by  the  "  College  post  Boy  " 

I  think  you  will  be  pleased  with  the  typographical 
&  mechanical  executions.  I  only  regret  their  tedious 
delay,  I  trust  you  will  meet  with  ready  patronage  in 
this  first  effort  for  literaly  fame. 

I  remain  dear  Miss  S — 

Your  friend  &c 

Matthew  Vassar 
P.   S.   I  have  retained  25   copies  for  distribution 
among  my  friends 


196        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Thursday  Evening 
My  dear  Miss  Stilson 

I  received  your*  of  the  11*''  Inst,  appologising  for 
your  and  other  pupils  at  "  Vassar  "  in  not  seeming 
civil  at  the  parting  on  Saturday  Eves  PicNic  at 
"  Springside  ".  I  assure  you  my  dear  Miss  S.  that  was 
no  fault  of  yours  or  your  companions,  I  noticed  your 
intentions  while  passing  the  door  of  my  Cottage,  but 
your  good  Lady  Principal  Miss  L.  fancied  /  was  tired 
and  beconied  your  advance  while  /  would  have  been 
glad  to  have  taken  each  of  you  by  the  hand,  had  an 
oppertunity  offered. 

I  am  pleased  to  think  you  all  enjoyed  the  repast  &c, 
Truly  a  Kind  Providence  greatly  favor^  us  in  the 
weather,  the  day  was  charming,  so  were  all  the  sor- 
roundings  &c.  I  feel  sad  to  think  how  we  shall  sep- 
erate,  perhaps  some  us  forever.  Good  bye  my  dear 
friend  for  to-day,  I  hope  to  meet  you  on  Commence- 
ment Week. 

Yours  very  truly  &c  &c 

Matthew  Vassar 
June  13,  1867  (date  penciled  on  envelope). 


VASSAR  COLLEGE 

Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  September  5*''  1867 
My  dear  Miss  Stilson. 

I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  kind  note  of  the  31"* 
ultimo,  redeeming  your  long  looked  for  promise  to 
write  me,  which  of  course  I  had  been  axiously  waiting, 
but  the  long  delay  inferentialy  left  the  impression, 
that  you  were  sick,  or  time  and  other  occupations  had 
obliterated  me  from  your  memory — however  your  in- 


Matthew  Vassar  197 

teresting  Letter  lying  before  me  has  relieved  all  these 
forbodings,  and  I  am  happy  to  hear  that  you  are  well 
and  succeeding  so  prosperously  with  your  School  at 
Martinsburgh.  I  pray  that  our  Heavenly  Father  may 
Continue  to  bless  your  enterprise  and  that  you  will  re- 
turn to  "  Vassar  "  again  next  Spring. 

Extensive  improvements  have  been  made  in  the  in- 
terior of  the  College,  in  the  Lodging  departments,  for 
the  accomodation  of  50  more  pupils.  Also  in  the 
intriduction  of  more  light  and  Air  in  the  first  Story 
Rooms  in  rear  of  the  Corridors.  The  finishing  off  25 
Rooms  for  Instruction  on  Piano^  and  using  the  old 
rooms  in  the  College  Building  for  Lodging  apartments 
— We  can  now  accommodate  400  pupils  with  good 
comfortable  sleeping  apartments — The  number  of 
Pupils  already  registered  for  Sept.  term  is  some  360, 
and  in  another  week  or  two  we  shall  have  the  full  com- 
plement. 

Some  few  changes  has  taken  place  in  the  officers  of 
our  Institution,  or  rather  in  the  Professorships — 
among  those  are  Professor  Knapp  and  Prof"  Weibe, 
the  former  &  Lady  has  gone  to  Europe,  the  latter  to 
Holy  Yoke  Seminary.  We  have  their  places  ably 
supplied.  We  have  expended  some  $15,000  in  alter- 
ations &  other  improvements  in  the  College  buildings 
for  the  convenience  &  comfort  of  its  Pupils,  &c. 

I  send  you  by  "  Am  "  Express  Co."  a  work  en- 
titled "  Vassar  College  &  its  Founder  "  by  Benson  J. 
Lossing  which  is  the  first  Copy  I  have  given  away  to 
any  Pupil  of  *'  Vassar ",  also  the  last  Catalouge  " 
please  to  accept  the  same  from  your  sincere  friend,  also 
Miss  Lymans  New  Term  address  to  the  Parants  & 
Pupils — My  Coachman  is  waiting  on  the  door  and  I 


198         The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

must  close  this  note,  with  my  best  wishes  for  your 
health  &  happiness  &c  Yours  truly 

M.  Vassar 


Springside,  Po 

September  26%  1867 
My  dear  Miss  Stilson, 

I  was  put  duly  in  receipt  of  your  kind  letter  of  the 
23**  current,  and  was  supprised  to  learn  at  jirst  thought 
that  you  had  not  received  "  V  College  &  its  Founder  " 
but  on  the  second  thought,  there  was  a  very  good  and 
sattisfactory  reason,  viz,  I  had  omitted  to  mail  It  &c, 
dispact^  it  yesterday  which  will  be  at  hand  ere  this 
note. 

I  herewith  send  you  on  other  side  as  per  request 
the  Certificate  sought,  and  hope  it  will  prove  sattis- 
factory and  accomplish  your  purpose.  Our  College  is 
filling  up  fast — ^we  have  now  entered  on  the  Books 
some  370,  pupils,  all  goes  on  well,  I  am  happy  to  hear 
that  your  School  prospects  are  so  flattering.  We  have 
this  summer  added  more  gymnastics  &  other  physical 
Exercises,  the  latter  large  Riding  School  Building, 
two  9  Pin-Alleys, — Not  feeling  very  bright  this  Morn- 
ing I  must  make  this  note  brief. 

Yours  very  Respectfully  &c 

Matthew  Vassar 


City  of  Poughkeepsie  N.  Y. 

September  26*^  1867 
To  whom  It  may  concern  &c. 

The  bearer  of  this  note  Miss  Sarah  L.  Stilson  has 
been  a  pupil  of  "  Vassar  College  "  for  the  last  two 


Matthew  Vassar  199 

years  past,  and  as  far  as  I  understand  from  the  prin- 
cipals of  the  educational  departments  has  acquited  her- 
self with  creditable  testimonies  and  good  character. 

Matthew  Vassar 
Founder  of  Vassar  College 


Oct.  18.  1867 
My  dear  Miss  Stilson 

Right  glad  I  were  to  receive  a  note  from  you  under 
date  of  the  12^^  current,  acknowledging  the  safe  re- 
ceipt of  "  V.  C.  &  its  Founder".  I  began  to  have 
fears  that  like  several  others  sent  by  the  "  American 
Express  Company  "  had  failed  to  reach  its  destination, 
I  am  also  happy  to  hear  you  were  pleased  with  the 
work. 

If  the  particulars  I  gave  you  of  the  late  opening 
of  the  College  were  "  interesting  "  to  you  I  am  happy 
&  amply  paid  for  writing  it,  as  nothing  gives  me  more 
pleasure  than  to  please  my  College  Children,  and  like 
yourself  when  I  fall  to  thinking  about  our  absent  ones 
I  wish  them  all  back  again,  but  as  you  remark  "  this  Is 
a  "  Working  world  "  and  have  all  of  us  "  wings  & 
must  expect  some  will  "  fly  away  ",  like  the  Dove  In 
olden  times  with  the  emblem  of  Invitation  to  return 
with  safety  to  its  green  pastures  &c. 

I  rode  out  to  the  College  yesterday —  a  lovely  day, 
Saw  many  of  your  old  Schoolmates,  they  were  glad 
to  hear  from  you  through  me,  some  were  walking. 
Riding,  Rowing,  and  some  rolling  10  Pins  In  the  New 
Ball  Alley  opened  yesterday  In  the  Gymnasium  Build- 
ing— on  the  south  side  In  Basement — one  Alley  on 
either  side  100  feet  long.     Room  Lighted  nights  with 


200        The  Autobiography  and  Letters  of 

Gass,  heated  with  Steam,  many  practice  evenings  & 
150  pupils  have  enrolled  their  names.  It  is  much 
liked  as  a  physical  exercise,  and  that  you  know  is  my 
great  object  "  Physical  Exercise  ". 

I  hope  my  dear  Miss  S.  you  will  find  it  to  your 
Convenience  to  return  to  the  College  soon. 

I  remain  truly  Yours 

M.  Vassar. 


Poughkeepsie 
December  10*''  1867 
My  dear  Miss  Stilson. 

Your^  of  the  6*''  current  with  "  Hill  Top  "  Institute 
enclosed  is  received,  and  were  happy  to  hear  from  you 
once  again,  and  have  perused  over  your  letter  with  much 
pleasure,  altho'  you  mentiond  it  was  written  under 
pressure  of  many  heavy  demands  on  your  time,  yet  I  did 
not  discover  it  by  its  autography  or  Composition  but 
contrawise,  both  had  improved. 

Your  reminiscences  of  the  pleasure^  you  enjoyed  at 
the  little  festival  entertainment  afforded  at  Springside 
last  summer  were  fully  ballanced  &  reciprocated  by 
me  on  that  occasion,  by  meeting  so  many  of  the  Young 
Ladies  of  the  College — I  have  again  and  again,  of 
late  participated  &  enjoyed  those  pleasent  season^ — 
First  on  the  last  Thanksgiving  day,  I  dined  at  the  Col- 
lege, &  In  the  Evening  had  a  social  gathering  in  the 
Parlors — on  the  3^  Dec  the  Annual  Festival  of  the 
Philalethian  Society  came  off,  then  on  the  6*^  (Friday 
Evening)  we  held  a  sociable  Entertainment  at  my 
Domicil  (city  Residence)  of  the  Faculty,  Professors, 
&  Lady  Teachers,  of  "  Vassar  ",  with  several  of  the 


Matthew  Vassar  201 

Trustees  &  Executive  Committee,  numbering  over  a 
hundred  Guests,  with  a  choice  N.  Y.  City  Band  of 
Music.  At  II.  Ock.  we  all  partook  of  a  fine  supper 
got  up  by  the  Celebrated  Caterers  *'  Smith  Brothers  " 
of  this  City.  This  was  the  first  Invitation  ever  extended 
to  the  College  Faculty  &  Lady  Teachers,  since  its  or- 
ganization &  I  think  was  highly  appreciated  and  will 
be  long  remembered — Miss  Lyman  was  absent  having 
recently  lost  her  Sister,  in  Philadelphia — 

We  have  lately  had  several  distinguish**  Lecturers 
at  our  College  among  them  Rev^.  Newman  Hall  of 
England,  Wendell  Phillips,  Vincent  &  others. 

The  weather  is  now  very  cold  and  we  have  fine  skat- 
ing at  College  Lake,  a  little  snow  but  no  sleighing. 

I  remain  Dear  Miss  Stilson 

truly  Yours  &c 

M.  .  Vassar. 


VASSAR  FEMALE  COLLEGE 

Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  May  4*''  1867 
My  dear  Miss  Stilson 

I  feel  disappointed  &  grived  to  think  I  have  not 
seen  you  within  speakable  distance  so  long  a  time  but 
circumstances  of  a  personal  nature  has  prevented,  Of 
course  I  saw  you,  saw  your  sweet  lips  move,  heard  the 
sound  of  your  melodous  voice  on  the  Anniversary  Eve- 
ning, but  that*  all,  did  not  hear  one  word  distinctedly , 
I  think  I  saw  you  once  in  the  Corrodors  or  refreshment 
room,  however  be  that  as  it  may,  I  have  just  finished 
reading  your  "  Colloquy  "  so  kindly  sent  me  yesterday 
on    the    "  Triumph    of    Progress " — a    Composition 


202  Autobiography  and  Letters 

worthy  of  the  claims  of  more  matured  and  older  inter- 
lects,  but  where  are  they  in  "  Vassar  College  "  &c  to 
be  found. 

Excuse  briefity — the  doorBell  Rings,  &c. 

Y"  truly,  M.  Vassar 


APPENDIX 

Books  from  Matthew  Vassar's  Library.* 

"Analectic  Magazine."     Philadelphia,  1817.     v.  9-10. 

"  Monthly  Repository  and  Library  of  Entertaining  Knowledge."    New 

York,  1831.     V.  I. 
Nicholson,  William. 

British  Encyclopedia.     American  edition.     Philadelphia,   1819-21. 

12    V. 

"Penny  Magazine  of  the  Society  for  the  Diffusion  of  Useful  Knowl- 
edge."    London,  1832-36,  1840.     v.  1-5,  9. 
Buck,  Charles. 

"Theological   Dictionary."     Philadelphia,   1823. 
Chambers,  Robert. 

"  Vestiges  of  the  Natural  History  of  Creation."    New  York,  1846. 
"  The  Holy  Bible."     New  York,  1820. 
Todd,  John. 

"The  Bible  Companion."     Philadelphia,  1842. 
"  Scripture   Text-Book."     New   York,    1846. 
"The  Book  of  Psalms."     New  York,  1857. 
Jones,  Henry. 

"  Principles   of   Interpreting  the   Prophecies."     New   York,    1837. 
Keith,  Alexander. 

"  The  Evidence  of  Prophecy."    New  York.    n.  d. 
Strong,  James. 

"  New  Harmony  and  Exposition  of  the  Gospels."    New  York,  1852. 
Fleetwood,  John. 

"  Life   of   our  Blessed   Lord   and   Saviour   Jesus   Christ."     New 
York,    1822. 
Goodhue,  J.  A. 

"The  Crucible;  or.  Tests  of  a  Regenerate  State."     Boston,  i860. 
Welby,    Horace. 

"  Mysteries  of  Life,  Death,  and  Futurity."     New  York,  1863. 
Bush,    George. 

"Anastasis."     New  York  and  London,   1845. 
Belsham,    Thomas. 

"A  Summary  View  of  the  Evidence  and  Practical  Importance  of 
the  Christian  Revelation."    Boston,  1808. 
Hartley,   David. 

"  Of  the  Truth  of  the  Christian  Religion."     Boston,  1808. 
Jenyns,   Soame,   and  Others. 

"  Infidelity."     New  York.     n.  d. 
M'llvaine,   Charles  P-  .    .     . 

"  Evidences  of  Christianity."     Philadelphia,  1859. 

*  These  books  were  originally  incorporated  in  the  Vassar  College 
Library,  but  have  since  been  taken  out,  as  they  have  been  found  and 
put  in  a  separate  collection.     There  may  be  others  yet  to  be  added. 

203 


204  Appendix 

Smith,   John  P. 

"  Relations    Between    the    Holy    Scriptures    and    Some    Parts    of 
Geological  science."     London,   1848. 
Mathews,  J.  M. 

"  The   Bible   and   Men  of  Learning."     New   York,   1855. 
Hervey,  James. 

"  Meditations   and  Contemplations."     New  York,   1822. 
Doddridge,   Philip. 

"  Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soul."    Northampton,  1804. 
Williams,   Mrs. 

"  Religion  at  Home."     Providence,  1837. 
Ramsey,   William. 

"  The   Drunkard's  Doom."     Philadelphia,   1845. 
"Manual   of  Christian  Psalmody."     Boston,   1832. 
"The  Psalmist:  a  New  Collection  of  Hymns  for  the  Use  of  Baptist 

Churches."     Philadelphia,  1848. 
Jay,  William. 

"  Morning    Exercises   for    the    Closet."     Baltimore,    1834. 
Law,  William. 

"  Call  to   Christians."     Philadelphia,  1851. 
Williams,  William  R. 

"  Religious  Progress."     Boston,    1850. 
Chalmers,    Thomas. 

"  Application   of    Christianity   to   the   Commercial    and    Ordinary 
Affairs  of  Life."     New  York,  1821. 
Dwight,  Timothy. 

"  Sermons."    New  Haven,  1828.     2  v. 
Wayland,  Francis. 

"  University  Sermons."    Sermons  delivered  in  the  chapel  of  Brown 
University.     Boston,  1849. 
Howitt,  William. 

"  History  of  Priestcraft."     New  York,   1857. 
Knowles,  James  D. 

"Memoir  of  Mrs.  Ann  H.  Judson."     Boston,  1829. 
Wayland,  Francis. 

"  Memoir   of   the   Life    and   Labors  of   Rev.   Adoniram   Judson." 
Boston,  1853.     2  v. 
Jones,   William. 

"  History  of  the  Christian  Church."    New  York,  1824.     2  v. 
Mosheim,  Johann  L.  von. 

"  Ecclesiastical  History,  Ancient  and  Modern."    New  York,  1821. 
4  v. 
Merle  d'Aubigne,  Jean  H. 

"  History  of  the   Great  Reformation   of  the   Sixteenth   Century." 
New  York,  1846.     4  v. 
Morris,  J.  W. 

"  Memoirs   of  the  Life   and  Writings  of  Rev.   Andrew  Fuller. 
Boston,  1830. 
Cochrane,  James,  ed. 

"Protestant's   Manual."     Edinburgh,    1839. 
Sparks,  Jared.  ,  ,    ,      „ 

"Letters  on  the  Ministry,  Ritual,  and  Doctrmes  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church."     Baltimore,  1820. 


Appendix  205 

Belsham,  Thomas. 

"  Vindication  of  Certain  Passages  in  a  Discourse  on  Occasion  of 
the  Death  of  Dr.  Priestley."     Boston,   1809. 
Davis,  Andrew  J. 

"  Great  Harmonia."     Boston,  1851.     2  v. 
"The  World  in  a  Pocket  Book."     Philadelphia,  1845. 
Sidney,  Algernon. 

"  Discourses  on  Government."    New  York,  1805.    3  v. 
New  York    (state)    Legislature. 

"  Manual."      '6i    and   '63.     Albany,    i86i,    1863.     2    v. 
Raymond,  Daniel. 

"  Thoughts  on  Political  Economy."     Baltimore,   1820. 
Smith,  Adam. 

"  Inquiry  into  the  Nature  and  Causes  of  the  Wealth  of  Nations." 
Philadelphia,   1796.     3  v. 
Hamilton,  Alexander. 

"The   Federalist."     Philadelphia,   1818. 
New   York    (state)    Constitution    Convention,    1821. 

Reports  of  the  Proceedings  and  Debates.     Albany,   1821. 
Beadle,  Delos  W. 

"  The  American  Lawyer  and  Business  Man's  Form  Book."     New 
York,    1855. 
"The  Damathat;  or,  The  Laws  of  Menoo,"  translated  from  the  Bur- 
mese.    Maulmain,  1847. 
Coppee,   Henry. 

"Academic  Fallacies."     Philadelphia,   1859.      (Presentation   copy 
from  the   author.) 
Columbia    College. 

Catalogue  of  the   Governors,  Trustees,  and  Officers,  and  of  the 
Alumni   and   Other   Graduates,   1754-1864.     New  York,   1865. 
United  States  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce    (Depart- 
ment of  Commerce). 

.  .  .  The  Foreign  Commerce  and  Navigation  of  the  United  States, 
1858.     Washington,   1859. 
"  Hunt's  Merchants'  Magazine  and  Commercial  Review."    New  York, 

1839-48.     V.    1-40,  43. 
"Annual  of  Scientific  Discovery."     Boston,   1850. 
Miller,   Hugh. 

"Footprints  of  the  Creator."     Boston,  1850. 
Van  Amringe,   William   F. 

"  Investigation  of  the  Theories  of  the  Natural  History  of  Man." 
New  York,   1848. 
"  Mechanics'    Magazine    and    Register    of    Inventions    and    Improve- 
ments."    New  York,   1833-36.     v.   i-8.  

Moore,    George. 

"  Health,  Disease,   and  Remedy."     New  York,   1850. 
Youmans,  Edward  L. 

"  Hand-book  of  Household  Science."     New  York,  1857. 
Ewbank,  Thomas. 

"  Descriptive    and    Historical    Account    of    Hydraulic    and    other 
Machines  for  Raising  Water."     New  York,  1851. 
New  York  State  Agricultural  Society. 

Transactions,    1843,    1861.     Albany,    1844,    1862. 


2o6  Appendix 

Cole,  S.  W. 

"  The  American  Fruit  Book."     Boston,  1849. 
Fessenden,  Thomas  G. 

"  New   American   Gardener."     Boston,    1828. 
Bridgeman,   Thomas. 

"  Young  Gardener's  Assistant."    New  York,  1844.    3  v.  in  1. 
Youatt,  William  and  Martin,  W.  C.  L, 

"  Cattle."     New  York,  1851. 
Miner,  T.  B. 

"  American  Bee-keeper's  Manual."     New  York,   1849. 
Downing,  Andrew  J. 

"  Treatise  on  the  Theory  and  Practice  of  Landscape  Gardening." 
New  York,  1844. 
Johnson,  Louisa. 

"  Every  Lady  Her  Own  Flower  Gardener."     Charleston,  1842. 
Leuchars,  Robert  B. 

"  Practical  Treatise  on  the  Construction,  Heating,  and  Ventilation 
of   Hot-houses."     Boston,    1851. 
Cleaveland,    Henry   W.    and    others. 

"  Villages  and  Farm  Cottages."     New  York,   1856. 
Downing,  Andrew  J. 

"  Cottage   Residences."     New   York,   i86o. 
Walker,  John. 

"  Critical   Pronouncing  Dictionary  and  Expositor  of  the  English 
Language."     Pocket  edition.     Hartford,  1831. 
Locke,  John. 

"  Conduct  of  the  Understanding,"  by  John  Locke   [and]   "  Essays, 
Moral,  Economical,  Political,"  by  Lord  Bacon.    New  York,  1833. 
Butler,  Samuel. 

"  Hudibras."     Baltimore,  i8i2. 
Milton,  John. 

"  Poetical   Works."     Philadelphia,   1821.     2  v. 
Shakespeare,  William. 

"  Dramatic  Works."     New  York,  1823.     10  v. 
Addison,   Joseph. 

"Works."     New  York,  1811.     6  v. 
Addison,  Joseph. 

"Spectator."     New  York,  1803.     8  v. 
Burns,  Robert. 

"  Works."     Philadelphia,   i8oi.     4   v. 
Cowper,   William. 

"Poems."     New   York,    1814-16.     3    v. 
Goldsmith,   Oliver. 

"Miscellaneous  Works."     New  York,  1809.     6  v. 
Goldsmith,  Oliver. 

"Poems."     New  York,  1820. 
"  Letters  of  Junius."     New  York,  1821.     2  v. 
Sterne,  Laurence. 

"Works."     New  York,  1813.     6  v. 
Wolcott,  John. 

"  Works  of  Peter  Pindar."    Boston,  1811.    4  V. 
Bloomfield,  Robert. 

"Poems."     New  York,   1821. 


Appendix  207 

Coleridge,  Samuel  T. 

"  Literary  Remains."     New  York,  1853. 
Pollok,  Robert. 

"  Course  of  Time."    Boston,  1829. 
Cervantes. 

"  History  and  Adventures  of  Don   Quixote."     New  York,   1814. 

4   V. 

Sedgwick,  Catherine  M. 

"Letters  from  Abroad  to  Kindred  at  Home."     New  York,  1842. 

2   V. 

Durbin,  John  P. 

"  Observations    in    Europe,    Principally    in    France    and    Great 
Britain."     New  York,   1844.     v.   i. 
Tripp,  Alonzo. 

"  Crests  from  the  Ocean-World ;  or.  Experiences  in  a  Voyage  to 
Europe."     Boston,  1862. 
Plutarch. 

"  Plutarch's  Lives."     Philadelphia,  1822.    4  v. 
Hume,  David. 

"  History  of  England."    Philadelphia,  1821-22.     9  v. 
Robinson,  John. 

"  Hume  and  Smollet's  Celebrated  History  of  England,"  abridged. 
Hartford,   1831. 
Macaulay,  Thomas  B. 

"  History  of  England."     New  York,   1849.     2  v. 
Post  Office  London  Directory,   1847.     London,   1846. 
Lacey,  Henry. 

"  Pictorial  Liverpool  "...  a  new  and  complete  handbook.    Edin- 
burgh, n.  d. 
"  Views  of  Edinburgh,  &c."     Edinburgh,  n.  d. 
O'Meara,   Barry  E. 

"  Napoleon  in  Exile."     Boston,  1823.     2  v. 
Robertson,    Hume. 

"  Impartial  History  of  the  Life  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte."     Phila- 
delphia,  1808. 
Ventouillac,  L.  T. 

"  Paris  and  Its  Environs  as  Displayed  in  a  Series  of  Picturesque 
Views."     London,  1829. 
Coglan,  Francis. 

"  Handbook  for  Italy."     London,  1845. 
Gillespie,   William    M. 

"Rome  as  Seen  by  a  New  Yorker  in  1843-44."    New  York,  1845. 
Gurowski,   Adam. 

"Russia  as  It  Is."     New  York,  1854. 
Binding,  Paul  C. 

"  History  of  Scandinavia."     New  York,  1858. 
Malcom,   Howard. 

"  Travels  in  Southeastern  Asia."     Boston,  1839.     v.  2. 
Cheetham,  James. 

"  Life  of  Thomas  Paine."     New  York,  1809. 
Paine,  Thomas. 

"  Political   Writings,"     New   York,   1830.     2  v. 
Thomas,  Ebenezer  S. 

"  Reminiscences  of  the  Last  Sixty-five  Years."    Hartford,  1840.  v.  2, 


2o8  Appendix 

Kemble,  Mrs.   Francis  A. 

"Journal."     Philadelphia,   1835.     2  v. 
Davison,  G.  M. 

"  Traveller's  Guide  Through  the  Middle  and  Northern  States  and 
the  Provinces  of  Canada."     Saratoga  Springs,  1837. 
Mitchell,  Samuel  A. 

"  Accompaniment  to   Mitchell's  Reference   and   Distance   Map   of 
the   United  States."     Philadelphia,  1834. 
Tanner,  Henry  S. 

"  American  Traveller."     New  York,  1844. 
Blake,  John  L.,  ed. 

"  A  History  of  the  American  Revolution."     New  York,  1844. 
Pitkin,   Timothy. 

"  Political  and  Civil  History  of  the  United  States."     New  Haven 
1828.     2  V. 
Carey,  Matthew. 

"Olive  Branch."     Philadelphia,   1818. 
"  History  of  the  American  War  of  1812."     Philadelphia,  1817. 
Gordon,  Thomas  F. 

"  Gazetteer  of  the  State  of  New  York."    Philadelphia,  1836. 
Hammond,  Jabez  D. 

"  History  of  Political  Parties  in  New  York."    Albany,  1842.    2  v. 
Murphy,  William. 

"  Biographical  Sketches  of  the  State  Officers  and  Members  of  the 

Legislature    of   the    State    of    New    York   in    1862    and    1863." 

Albany,   1863. 

"  New  York  Annual  Register.  1833,  ^834."    New  York,  1833-34.    2  v. 

"The  Great  Metropolis:  or.  New  York  in  1845."     New  York,  1845. 

Wilson,  Henry. 

"Business   Directory  of  New   York   City,   1852-53."     New   York, 
1852. 
Cleaveland,  N. 

"  Greenwood;  a  Directory  for  Visitors."    New  York,  1850. 
Hunt,  Freeman. 

"  Letters   About  the   Hudson  River   and  Its   Vicinity  Written   in 
1835-36."     New  York,  1836. 
Spencer,  Spence,  ed. 

"  Scenery  of  Ithaca  and  the  Headwaters  of  the   Cayuga  Lake." 
Ithaca,  1866. 
Fuller,  Richard,  and  Wayland,  Francis. 

"  Domestic  Slavery."     New  York,  1845. 
Lapham,   Increase  A. 

"  Geographical    and    Topographical    Description    of    Wisconsin." 
Milwaukee,   1844. 
Hall,  Baynard  R. 

"New  Purchase;  or.  Seven  and  a  Half  Years  in  the  Far  West." 
New  York,  1843. 
A  "  Scrap-book,"  kept  by  Matthew  Vassar  from  January  12,  i860,  to 

May,    1867,   containing   newspaper   clippings   on   Vassar    College 

and    on   the   education   of   women,    also   a    few   on    politics    and 

other  subjects. 


INDEX 


AlHbone,  S.  A.  A.,  70,  84  Farrar,  Charles  S.,  135,  187,  192 

Amherst  College,   68  Fisher,  Prof.,  62-3,  77,  99 

Anderson,   Martin  B.,   12,  45,  50,      Ford,    Paul    Leicester,   7 
54,  132,  136,   140,   142  Founder's  Day,  188,  195 

Autobiography,   17-34 
Avery,  Alida  C,  192.  G 

Girard,  Stephen,  81,  83,  85 
Godey's  Lady's  Book,   50,  51,  69, 

143,    148,    166,    i8i 
Gregory,   Samuel,   12,  70,  75,  118 
Guy,  Thomas,  2,  33 


B 

Babcock,  Rufus,  38,  40,  46,  50, 
64,  66,  97,  99,  no,  111,  112,  113 

Barnard,  Henry,  12,  35,  125,   138 

Beecher,  Henry  Ward,  125,  146, 
147,    150,    154,    166 

Bird,  William  S.,  158 

Bishop,  Nathan,  48,  59,  142,  165, 
174,    180 

Boorman,  James,   70,   82 

Booth,   George,   82 

Booth,  Lydia,  3,  33,  93 

Booth,  Maria,  21,  23,  36,  38 

Brewery,  25,  32 

Brooklyn  Polytechnic  Institute,  50, 

Brown   University,   50,   67,   68 
Buckham,  Henry  B.,  192 
Buckingham,    S.    M.,    12,    42,    45, 
48,   165,   175,   183 


Chambers,   William,    71,   85-6 
Church,    Emma,    71,    107-8,    115, 

119,    121,    154 
Cooper,   Peter,   82-3 

D 

Dartmouth  College,  50,  68 
Dean,  Gilbert,  71,  109 
Diaries,    18,    35-49 
Drexel,  A.  J.,  8i 


Eastman  College,  39,  169 

Elliott,   C.  L.,   16,  35,   59,  67,  68 

Elmira  College,  135,  160 


H 


Hague,  William,  65 

Hale,  Sarah  Jane,  9,  12,  50,  51, 
67,  118,  135,  141,  143-4,  I4':> 
148,  150,  153,  163,  165,  166, 
167,  172,  174,  176,  181 

Harper,  James,  45 

Harris,  Ira,  70,  89 

Harvard  University,  3,  68,  99 

Hill-Top  Idyl,   187,   189-194,   195 

Hofmann,  Laura  S.,  183 


Jewett,   Milo  P.,   3,  4,  9,   36,   39, 

41,  50,  51,  57,  59,  63,  65,  67, 
76,  80,  88,  89,  91,  95,  99,  107, 
ic8,  109,  III,  112,  113,  116,  117, 
H9,  125,  129,  130,  133,  135,  137, 

139,  140,  141,  144,  146,  148, 
150,  153,  166 

K 

Kelly,  William,  45 

Knapp,  William  I.,  192,  197 


Lee,  Robert  E.,  i8,  45 

Leonard,  Lewis,   19 

Lincoln,   Abraham,  4,   i8,  42,  44, 

46,  47 
Lossing,  B.  J.,  41,  45,  119,  142,  197 


209 


2IO 


Index 


Lowell,   John,   Jr.,   84 

Lyman,    Hannah,    169,    192,    196, 

197,    20I 

M 

Magoon,  Elias  L.,  10,  43,  59,  71, 
119,  120,  122,  123,  126,  134, 
138,  141,  152,  157,  158,  i6i, 
162,   170,   171,   182 

Malcolm,  Howard,  70,  90 

Meade,    Hiram,    79 

Mitchell,  Maria,  12,  71,  97,  100, 
106,  108,  iti,  135,  144,  192 

Morse,  S.  F.  B.,  45,  119,  165,  170 

Mount  Holyoke  Seminary,  50,  67, 
80,    197 


Pierce,  George  T.,  45,  74 
Porter,  John  A.,  62 
Powell,  Elizabeth  M.,  184 


Raymond,  Charles  A.,  8,  9,  46, 
70,  71,  94,  96,  99,  100,  104,  H4, 
"7,   139 

Raymond,  John  Howard,  4,  ii, 
12,  43,  43,  45,  46,  48,  49,  50, 
52,  142,  146,  147,  150,  151,  154, 
156,  i6i,  163,  165,  i66,  168,  170, 

171,    175,    176,    178,    179,    185, 
189,   191 
Renwick,   J.   Jr.,   35,   36,   70,    72, 
79,  86,  87,  91 


Schow,    J.    N.,    12,    46,    48,    103, 

115,   118,   181 
Smith,    Daniel,   29,    36 
Smith,  William,  36,  201 
Stillson,  Sarah  L.,   188,   189,   195, 

196,    198,    199,   200,   201 
Swan,    Cyrus,    2,    12,   41,   44,   45, 

48,  49,  59,  75,  97,  "o,  121,  i6i, 

169 
Swift,  Charles  W.,  45 


U 

University  of  Rochester,  50,  69, 
104 

V 

Valentine,  Catharine,  (Mrs.  Mat- 
thew Vassar),  2,  5,  18,  19,  37, 
40,  no 

Van   Ingen,   Henry,   192 

Vassar,  Anne,  i,  24,  26,  27 

Vassar  College,  foundation,  3,  52; 
trustees,  3,  52,  182,  201 ;  build- 
ing, 44,  47,  54-56,  61,  68,  72, 
79,  87-8,  89,  91-2,  132,  136; 
finance,  56-7,  73,  74-5,  82; 
students,  65,  67,  167,  177-8, 
179-180,  188-189,  196,  197,  198; 
sectarianism,  72,  98-9,  129; 
salaries,  101,  104-5,  133-4; 
funds,  102-3;  heating,  105;  art 
collection,  126-7,  152-3,  155, 
157,  171;  faculty,  130-1,  135, 
137,  140,  141,  142,  148-9,  182, 
191-2,  200-1;  furniture,  137; 
vacations,    173-4;   changes,   197 

Vassar,  James,  1,  24,  26,  27,  29- 
30,  32-3 

Vassar,  Jemima,  24 

Vassar,  John  Guy  (brother  of 
Matthew),  20,  33 

Matthew,  John  Guy  (nephew  of 
Matthew),  33,  35,  45,  100,  119 

Vassar,  Matthew,  life,  1-5,  17-34; 
education,  6,  7,  8-9 ;  ideas  on 
education,  9-11;  character,  16; 
sectarianism,  10,  144-5;  library 
of,  203-8 ;  standard  for  college, 
186 

Vassar,  Matthew,  Jr.,  38,  42,  44, 
45,  46,  47,   130 

Vassar,   Thomas,   22 

Washington,  George,  7 
Weld,  Angelina  G.,  92 
White,  John   G.,   56,  73 
Wiebe,  Edward,  192,  197 
Wright,  J.  H.,  16,  67,  68 


Tenney,   Sanborn,   192 
Thompson,   John,   28,    119 


Yale  University,  3,  68 
Youmans,   Edward,   8,  9,   50,   53, 
54,   60,   61,   63 


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